Minor League Recap - Tugboat Earns First Quality Start

Tugboat Wilkinson threw six shutout innings in Lake County victory.

Columbus Clippers (51-52) - AAA

The Columbus Clippers game was postponed Friday night. It will be made up tonight as part of a Doubleheader.

Akron RubberDucks (58-42) - AA

Game 1

AKR 1 - HBG 9

Box Score

The RubberDucks and Harrisburg Senators (WSH) completed Thursday night’s suspended game in Game 1 of the Friday night double header. The Ducks had a pretty tough time against the Senators, only recording three hits as a team. Parker Messick started the game on Thursday and threw one inning, allowing one hit and one run. However, with the game suspended, Ryan Webb took over pitching Friday night. Webb threw five innings but gave up an uncharacteristic ten hits and allowed five earned runs. A throwing error from Alexfri Planez contributed a sixth, unearned run to Webb’s stat line. Zane Morehouse finished the final two frames of the game allowing two runs on four hits. Akron’s sole run in Game 1 came in the top of the first on a RBI single off the bat of Kody Huff.

Game 2

AKR 3 - HBG 7

Box Score

The woes continued in Game 2 for the RubberDucks. Akron’s three hits and three walks combined for three runs. Unfortunately this was not enough to best the Senators. The Akron bullpen was tasked with pitching the full game but struggled from the beginning. Ross Carver threw for only two outs but was pulled after giving up five runs on four hits and a walk. Davis Sharpe went two and one thirds innings. An error from second baseman Kahlil Watson notched two more runs for Harrisburg. Tyler Thornton and Alaska Abney were able to lock in and finish the game without allowing any more damage.

Dayan Frias hit a solo home run in the top of the third. In the top of the fourth Kahlil Watson scored on a wild pitch after reaching base on a lead off walk. With two outs Micael Ramirez singled on a ground ball, scoring Aaron Bracho who reached on a single. Outside of these two innings, Akron offense was relatively quiet the entire evening.

Lake County Captains (60-39) - High A

BEL 1 - LC 3

Box Score

The Lake County Captains brought home the only victory for Cleveland affiliates. Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson had a lights out performance, earning himself his first quality start as a Captain. Wilkinson threw six complete innings, allowing only two hits and one walk while striking out seven Beloit Sky Carp (MIA) batters.

All eyes remain on #1 draft pick Travis Bazzana who went 1 for 4 on the night with a lead off single to start the bottom of the first. In the bottom of the second Esteban Gonzalez hit an RBI double, scoring Jake Fox who reached base with a double of his own. In the bottom of the 4th, Jake Fox led off with a walk and was promptly brought home on a Jose Devers double fly ball. Isaiah Greene drove in the final run for the Captains. Greene hit a single ground ball to left field to score Jose Devers.

Lynchburg Hillcats (52-48) - Low A

FBG 5 - LYN 4

Box Score

Lynchburg was also unsuccessful in their Friday night endeavors. The Fredericksburg Nationals (WSH) got an early jump on Melkis Hernandez with a HR in the top of the first and did not surrender the lead after that. The Hillcats came very close to a rally in the bottom of the eighth. Juan Benjamin started the inning with a lead off walk but was thrown out at second when Kevin Rivas grounded into a force out. Fran Alduey reached first base on a throwing error from former teammate Rafael Ramirez Jr. Tommy Hawke moved runners up with a fly ball single to center. Welbyn Francisca hit an RBI single that scored Rivas and Alduey. With two outs, Luis Merejo hit a two RBI double, scoring Hawke and Francisca. Unfortunately Lynchburg couldn’t finish it out and lost to the Nationals by one run.