Welbyn Francisca has the game of his life for the ACL Guardians, Chase DeLauter begins rehab assignment

Cleveland Guardians minor league recap for Sunday, July 21, 2024

Columbus Clippers 4, Louisville Bats 6

Box Score · Clippers fall to 43-50

I’m not sure why, but Joey Cantillo was pulled from the starting lineup, being replaced by Tyler Beede. Beede did not fair well, allowing five runs on three hits and three walks in just ²⁄₃ of an inning.

Tanner Burns put out the fire with 1 ¹⁄₃ scoreless innings, then Cantillo re-materialized, pitching five solid innings of long relief, striking out six and allowing one run on three hits with one walk. It was Cantillo’s second consecutive rock solid outing.

Unfortunately, the Clippers offense never was able to recover from the early five-run deficit. Kyle Manzardo tripled and walked while Johnathan Rodriguez, George Valera and Dom Nunez all had two-hit games, with Nunes also walking. Juan Brito walked twice and Jose Tena walked and was hit by a pitch.

Akron RubberDucks 5, Richmond Flying Squirrels 0

Box Score · RubberDucks improve to 51-38

Starting pitcher Parker Messick led the way with five shutout innings of three-hit ball, striking out seven and walking one. Messick continues to impress after being promoted to Double-A.

Bradley Hanner and Mason Hickman completed the shutout by pitching two scoreless innings apiece.

Offensively, Joe Lampe led the way for Akron, going 1-for-2 with a double, two walks, a stolen base and two runs batted in. Petey Halpin doubled and walked while Alexfri Planez and Dayan Frias singled and walked. Yordys Valdez also walked twice.

Lake County Captains 10, Fort Wayne TinCaps 4

Box Score · Captains improve to 53-35

Lake County turned this game into a laugher early, scoring six runs in the first inning, then adding another four runs in the third inning as the Captains rolled to a 10-4 victory.

The big hit in the first inning was a grand slam from Johnny Tincher. Tincher had a monster game, going 2-for-3 with the grand slam, a double and a walk.

Jorge Burgos also contributed offensively, going 2-for-5 and Angel Genao’s lone hit was a two run blast in the third inning.

Jake Fox singled and walked while Angel Zarate doubled and had a pair of runs batted in.

Starting pitcher Carter Spivey was sensational, tossing six shutout one-hit innings with five strikeouts and three walks. Not bad for an undrafted free agent.

Steve Hajjar ruined the shutout by allowing three runs in his lone inning of work, but thankfully the Captains had a 10-run cushion at that point.

Lynchburg Hillcats 1, Carolina Mudcats 2 (F/7)

Box Score · Hillcats fall to 48-40

In game one of what was supposed to be a doubleheader (game two got suspended after three innings), the Lynchburg offense was limited to one run on just two hits in seven innings. Both hits were doubles as Christian Knapczyk knocked in Wuilfredo Antunez.

Starting pitcher Dylan DeLucia took the tough-luck loss, allowing one run on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts in three innings as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery.

Warquellin Vazquez was sensational in relief, striking out four in two perfect frames.

ACL Guardians 14, ACL Mariners 11

Box Score · Guardians improve to 24-33

The ACL Guardians won a massive slugfest on Saturday, scoring 14 runs on 15 hits with an additional six walks and a hit by pitch.

The star of the show was clearly Welbyn Francisca. The top international prospect who recently turned 18 just two months ago, had the best game of his young professional career, going 4-for-4 with three doubles, a home run, a walk, a stolen base and a whopping five runs scored. Francisca has been on an absolute tear over the past month and has raised his season OPS to .977. With the Arizona Complex League season ending soon, don’t be surprised to see him get an opportunity to continue playing with Lynchburg at Single-A.

A rehabbing Chase DeLauter, who was scheduled to play five innings, went 1-for-2 with a walk as he works his way back from a turf toe injury. Everything looks good so far.

Other offensive standouts included Jose Pirela, who went 3-for-5 with a home run and four runs batted in, Alberto Mendez, who went 2-for-4 with a home run and a walk, Yaikel Mijares, who went 2-for-4 with a double, two stolen bases and four runs batted in, and Barrett Riebock, who went 2-for-4 with a double.

It was not a great day for pitching as 2023 prep draftee Keegan Zinn allowed five runs (four earned) on four hits and a pair of walks in three innings while striking out five. Another prep prospect Javier Santos walked the only batter he faced before leaving the game, so there may have been an injury involved.

The best pitching performance was from Luis Flores, who allowed a tying run in two innings to blow a save, but with the Guardians scoring three in the bottom of the eighth, he redeemed himself to earn the win, striking out four batters and allowing just one hit and one walk.