Minor League Recap - Three Shutouts for Cleveland Affiliates

Minor League Recap for Saturday, May 11th, 2024

Columbus Clippers (15-21) - AAA

COL 9 - IOW 11

Box Score

The Columbus Clippers faced the Iowa Cubs (CHC) Friday night in a high scoring loss to the ICubs. Xzavion Curry continues to struggle in AAA, an unfortunate sight after his strong return in Cleveland. He recorded the loss, dropping his record in Columbus to 0-4. Curry gave up 7H, 8R, 7ER, 3BB, with 3 strikeouts in 4.1 IP. He has a 8.17 ERA in 25.1 innings pitched.

RHP Tanner Burns was not able to keep the scoring at bay. He went 2.1 IP, 2H, 3R, 3BB, 3K. Peter Strzelecki came on and almost worked himself into a disaster in the bottom of the 8th. He loaded the bases with a HBP, single, and a walk before being replaced by Nick Mikolajchak. Mikolajchak finished the inning strong, but Columbus weren’t able to close the gap offensively.

The Clippers had 8 hits on the night, spread out across the full line up. Only Jhonkensy Noel recorded multiple hits. Daniel Schneemann (0-3 with 2 walks) and George Valera (0-4 with 1 walk) were the only Columbus batters to not record a hit.

Moments I wish I had videos to embed: Juan Brito 2 run HR in the top of the 1st and a Jhonkensy grand slam in the Top of the 3rd.

Akron Rubberducks (20-11) - AA

AKR 4 - BOW 0

Box Score

The RubberDucks got their 6th shutout victory Friday night with LHP Doug Nikhazy taking the mound. In his 4th start of the season, Nikhazy went 3IP with 6 strikeouts. He maintains his 0.00 ERA and 0.57 WHIP.

RHP Bradley Hanner went 2IP, 2H,0R, 2BB, and 2Ks. He currently is sporting a 1.26 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. RHP Jack Leftwich recorded the W improving his record to 1-2. He threw 2IP, 0H, 0R, 2BB, with 2Ks. Benton finished up the shutout pitching 2 innings and giving up 1H with 1 K.

The RubberDucks offense saw some life from their lower production bats. Catcher Micael Ramirez went 1-3 with a single and a walk. Center Fielder Petey Halpin extended his 8 game hitting streak with a 3 run HR.

Lake County Captains (19-12) - High A

Game 1

DAY 0 - LC 8

Box Score

In the first game of a double header versus the Dayton Dragons(CIN) the Lake County Captains RHP Trenton Denholm threw a complete game shutout. Kind of. They only play 7 innings for double headers, but it is still a very impressive feat, so let’s pretend it is the same thing and have cause for celebration! Denholm threw 85 pitches, with 2H, 0R, 1BB, and 9K. He now has a record of 3-0 and, in 32.1 IP, has an ERA of 2.51 and a WHIP of 0.84.

Second baseman Nate Furman had himself a night. Going 2-4 with 2 HRs and 4 RBI.

C.J. Kayfus is doing everything in his power to earn the call up to AA. He has hit a HR in his last 3 games. He’s currently batting a .353 BA with a 1.088 OPS.

Game 2

DAY 7 - LC 2

Box Score

The 2nd game of the double header was a lot less fun.

Steve Hajjar recorded his first loss of the year. A surprising feat considering his ERA is currently a flat 10.00 in only 9 innings pitched on the season. Hajjar went 2.0 IP and gave up 4 ER miraculously without giving up a single hit. In the top of the 2nd Hajjar walked the first 2 batters, hit the 3rd, then hit the 4th batter - driving in a run. A wild pitch would score another, 2 groundouts would tack on 2 runs each, all finally coming to an end with a strikeout to end the inning. LHP Adam Tulloch gave up the final 3 runs of the game while RHP Zane Morehouse and RHP Magnus Ellerts finished the last two innings without either pitcher giving up a run or a hit.

Magnus Ellerts has thrown 11.0 innings so far this season and is sporting a 0.82 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP.

Nate Furman kept the offense momentum rolling into game 2 going 2-1 with a single and a stolen base in the bottom of the 5th. CJ Kayfus would score Furman on a ground out to second base.

Lynchburg Hillcats (18-13) - Low A

LYN 2 - DE 0

Box Score

The Hillcats shutout the Texas Rangers Low A affiliate Friday night RHP Abel Brito getting the W. RHP Alonzo Richardson went 5.0 innings, giving up on 2 hits with 6 strikeouts. RHP Abel Brito threw 2.0 innings with only 1 H and 1 strikeout. RHP Matt Jachec recorded his 2nd save, throwing 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks.

Offensively, the Hillcats were relatively quiet until the top of the 8th inning. Esteban Gonzalez doubled on a line drive, scoring Tommy Hawke. Jaison Chourio hit a sacrifice fly to the right fielder to score Gonzalez. Christian Knapczyk and Angel Genao also recorded hits on the night.