Columbus Clippers (19-18) – AAA
COL 12 – IOW 13
The Columbus Clippers and Iowa Cubs had a back and forth battle Friday night. Jack Leftwich started for the Clippers, facing off against the former Cleveland prospect Doug Nikhazy. Leftwich went 2.0 innings, 3H, 2R/0ER, 1BB, 2K. A throwing error by the recently promoted shortstop Angel Genao in the 2nd inning accounted for both unearned runs. Tanner Burns pitched the third and fourth innings, giving up 6 runs on 6 hits, and 2 walks. He struck out 4. Tommy Mace pitched 3 innings, allowing 4 runs on 6 hits, he also struck out 2 batters. Steven Pérez pitched the eighth inning, giving up a run as well.
Both teams had some incredible offense in this game. Stuart Fairchild and Juan Brito kicked off the game hitting back-to-back home runs to put the Clippers up 2-0.
In the top of the second, Kody Huff drew a lead off walk. Milan Tolentino hit a 1-out double to put both runners in scoring position. Dayan Frias reached on a fielder’s choice and Stuart Fairchild drew a walk to load them up. Juan Brito launched the ball 416 feet for a grand slam and his second home run of the game.
The ICubs clawed their way back and eventually took a 12-6 lead over Columbus going into the 8th. Angel Genao drew a 2-out walk after a successful ABS challenge. Milan Tolentino slapped another double, scoring Genao. The ICubs answered immediately with Owen Miller hitting a solo home run. In the top of the ninth, Columbus came right back. Juan Brito drew a lead off walk. George Valera doubled and Nolan Jones also drew a walk to load them up again. Cooper Ingle singled to right scoring Brito and moving everyone up one. Kody Huff hit a bases clearing double, bringing the Clippers within 2 runs all before recording the first out. Dayan Frias hit a 2-out single to put it within one, but the Clippers fell just short of sending the game to extras.
Akron RubberDucks (16-15) – AA
AKR 6 – RIC 9
The RubberDucks fell to the Flying Squirrels in Richmond. Justin Campbell went 4.0IP/2H/0R/1BB/5K in his first start for Akron after his recent promotion from Lake County. Jack Carey had a rough outing, allowing 3 runs in only one inning of work. Alaska Abney fell to 1-1 on the season with his first loss. Abney only pitched 0.2 innings. Of the 4 runs scored, only 1 was earned. Abney inherited one base runner after Jack Carey was pulled for Abney. The inherited runner scored and a 2-out fielding error lead to a 6 run inning for Richmond. Magnus Ellerts replaced Alaska in that same inning, contributing to his blown save. Ellerts went 1.1 innings allowing 2 earned runs on 2 hits, 2 walks, and striking out 3. Reid Johnston had a good eighth inning, going 1-2-3 with a strikeout.
All of Akron’s runs came in the fifth inning of the game. Alex Mooney hit a lead off double to left. Nick Mitchell hit a 2-out single to score Mooney for the first run of the game. Ralphy Velazquez doubled to right, scoring Mitchell. Alfonsin Rosario put runners on the corners with a single to 3rd. Rosario stole 2nd and Jacob Cozart drew a walk to load the bases. Jake Fox doubled on a line drive to right field, clearing the bases. A throwing error converted the double into a little league grand slam.
Lake County Captains (15-16) – High A
GL 6 – LC 8
The Lake County Captains got the win over the Great Lakes Loons. Franklin Gómez started for the Caps, pitching 4.2 innings. Gómez allowed 5H/4R/2BB and struck out 6. Cam Walty finished the fifth inning and pitched the sixth. Walty earned his second win with the Captains in a scoreless outing. Walty walked two and struck out two. Logan McGuire went 1IP/2H/2R/1BB/1K maintaining the win conditions for Walty. Adam Tulloch earned his first save of the season, finishing the game without allowing a baserunner. He struck out three batters in his 2.0 innings of work.
After a delayed start, what with all of the rain, the Captains came out the gate with Tommy Hawke doing what he does best – stealing bases. Hawke drew a walk and stole two bases to put himself in scoring position. The team couldn’t capitalize on it, but it is nice to see that he is still carrying on what made him a threat for the Hillcats last year. The Caps got on the board in the bottom of the second. With two outs, Esteban González singled and stole second base. González advanced to third on a throwing error. Jeffrey Mercedes singled to left, scoring González.
Aaron Walton cut the deficit in half with a lead off home run to left.
In the bottom of the fourth, Tommy Hawke drew a 1-out walk. Aaron Walton singled to reach base. Both Walton and Hawke advanced on a wild pitch. Dean Curley drew a walk, loading the bases. Nolan Schubart drew the third walk of the inning, scoring Hawke. Ryan Cesarini, with the bases loaded, hit a 2-run single to right to give the Caps the lead.
In the bottom of the sixth, Aaron Walton doubled on a grounder to left. Bennet Thompson was called out on strikes for the second out. Walton stole third and then scored on a throwing error by the catcher. Nolan Schubart hit a homer to left to extend the lead.
Lake County’s final run scored in the bottom of the eighth. Walton, having a fantastic night, doubled to right to get on base with one out. Dean Curley doubled the right to score Walton.
Hill City Howlers (18-13) – Single A
FBG 11 – HC 5
Jacob Zibin got the start for the Howlers, getting a bit roughed up in the process. He went 4.2IP/6H/4R (2ER)/1BB with 6 strikeouts. Luke Fernandez finished out the fifth inning and then proceeded to pitch three additional innings. He allowed only two hits and a walk and struck out three batters. Fernandez is holding a steady 1.83 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP in 19.2 innings pitched on the season with Hill City. Angel Perez fell to 2-2 on the season with a loss and a blown save. Perez gave up seven runs in his sole inning of work during Friday night’s game.
The Howlers got on the board first with a 2-out triple in the bottom of the first form Juneiker Caceres. Caceres scored the next at bat as catcher Cannon Peebles doubled to right. In the bottom of the seventh, Cannon Peebles drew a lead off walk. Jose Pirela reached base on a one-out single to center. Luis De La Cruz loaded the bases, drawing a walk. Jhorvic Abreus walked in a run, bringing the Howlers within 2 of the Nationals. Dauri Fernandez hit a 2-run single, but was thrown out at second trying to stretch it into a double for the final out. In the bottom of the eighth, Robert Arias drew a walk and stole 2nd to put himself in scoring postion. Juneiker Caceres doubled to left, scoring the final run for the Howlers.
