Cannonballs coming: Clay Holmes throws six shutout innings

Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsAltoona was off.

— Clay Holmes bounced back strongly from two rough starts to open the season, throwing six shutout innings as Indianapolis (4-10) lost to Durham, 4-1. Holmes showed significantly improved control, walking nobody while fanning seven and throwing 51 of 80 pitches for strikes. He allowed five hits. By various accounts, Holmes’ fastball was sitting around 96 mph and he hit 99 once. Johnny Barbato followed Holmes with his Pirates’ debut, throwing two scoreless innings. He gave up a hit and struck out one. Unfortunately, Indy went with two struggling relievers, Cody Dickson and A.J. Schugel, in the ninth and they allowed four runs. Schugel has been…