Minor League Recap - Clippers Win in Extras

Clippers and RubberDucks see success, Lake County falls, and Lynchburg splits their doubleheader.

Columbus Clippers (56-54) - AAA

COL 5 - STP 3

Box Score

The Columbus Clippers fought out a win over the St. Paul Saints (MIN) in extras. Lefty Will Dion took the mound, going 5.2 innings and only allowing one run. Dion struck out nine, giving up only three hits and one walk. RHP Andrew Walters finished the 6th inning, striking out the only batter he faced. RHP Connor Gillispie pitched 2.0 innings, allowing two runs and his first blown save of the season. LHP Erik Sabrowski pitched the 9th and 10th innings, securing his 7th win of the season.

Clippers got the runs rolling early on. In the top of the 2nd, Raynel Delgado hit a two RBI double to score Johnathan Rodriguez and Gabriel Arias. In the top of the 7th Johnathan Rodriguez hit a single to center, scoring Juan Brito. In extra innings, Myles Straw grounded out at first, allowing Estevan Florial to score. Christian Cairo recorded the final RBI for the Clippers, singling to short, scoring Bryan Lavastida.

For those curious at home, George Valera had a rare night off. Angel Martinez and Kyle Manzardo both with 0-for-4 on the night. Angel drew a walk and struck out once as the lead off hitter. Manzardo struck out three times as the DH.

Akron RubberDucks (62-43) - AA

REA 7 - AKR 8

Box Score

The RubberDucks can back in an exciting win versus the Reading Fightin Phils (PHI). Reading got a quick jump on Akron starting pitcher Aaron Davenport who put up four runs in the first inning. He was not left in the game long, only going 4.2 innings. He allowed six of the seven opposing runs with an error from center fielder Petey Halpin tacking on an addition run in the first inning. Davenport walked three batters and struck out two. Lenny Torres Jr. came on in relief, throwing 1.1 innings, giving up one hit, and striking out two batters. Torres Jr. was the only bullpen pitcher to allow a hit. Mason Hickman pitched the 7th and 8th innings, securing his first win with Akron. Jack Leftwich pitched the 9th inning, recording his 8th save on the season with Akron.

Akron offense showed signs of life early on with Kody Huff hitting an RBI double to score Joe Lampe early on in the bottom of the 2nd. In the bottom of the 7th, Kahlil Watson hit his 14th homer of the season, a two run homer that scored Chase DeLauter.

In the bottom of the 8th, the offense hit their stride and rallied to come back for a victory. Reading pitcher Wesley Moore started the inning walking the first four batters to add a run for the good guys. Moore was promptly replaced. In the next at bat, Chase DeLauter hit a sac fly to right field to score Yordys Valdes. With two outs, Petey Halpin stole 2nd base, Aaron Bracho walked, and Joe Lampe hit a single to right field, scoring C.J. Kayfus and Petey Halpin. Kody Huff tacked on another RBI, hitting a single to right that scored Bracho for the go-ahead and winning run.

Lake County Captains (62-43) - High A

LC 3 - DAY 7

Box Score

The Lake County Captains fell to the Dayton Dragons Friday night. Starting pitcher Alonzo Richardson recorded his first loss with the Captains after going 3.2 innings, allowing four runs on eight hits and a walk. Richardson struck out three. Adam Tulloch threw a hitless, scoreless 2.1 innings, striking out four. However Steve Hajjar and Allan Hernandez both struggled in their individual outings. Hajjar allowed two runs on one hit and two walks. Hernandez allow a hit, walk, and a run in the bottom of the 8th.

Esteban Gonzalez singled in the top of the 2nd to score Jonah Advincula. Angel Genao walked with the bases loaded to score Maick Collado. In top of the 7th Cooper Ingle singled on a grounder to center to score the final Lake County run when Tyresse Turner crossed home.

Lynchburg Hillcats (54-50) - Low A

Game 1

LYN 7 - FAY 5

Box Score

In Game 1 of Friday night’s doubleheader, the Hillcats bested the Fayetteville Woodpeckers (HOU). Jackson Humphries took the mound for the Hillcats, throwing 3.0 innings, allowing seven hits and one walk while striking out six. Humphries allowed three runs, but a fielding error by Juan Benjamin contributed to another run for his stat line. Wardquelin Vasquez pitched the fourth and fifth innings, allowing one run on two hits, and striking out two. 2024 draftee Izaak Martinez secured his first win with Lynchburg. Martinez threw 2.0 innings and gave up two hits and a walk, but struck out three batters.

Lynchburg didn’t score until the 4th inning when Wuilfredo Antunez hit a two run home run that scored Tommy Hawke. In the top of the 7th the Hillcats kicked into gear. Tommy Hawke drew a walk with bases loaded, scoring Jaison Chourio. Antunez singled to right, scoring Luis Merejo and Christian Knapczyk to tie the game. Logun Clark singled on a line drive, scoring Hawke and Antunez, putting the Hillcats over the Woodpeckers.

Game 2

LYN 4 - FAY 5

Box Score

Unfortunately the success would not continue in Game 2. Yorman Gomez recorded his 4th loss of the season, having pitched 5.0 innings. Gomez gave up all five Fayetteville runs on nine hits. Cam Schuelke (another 2024 draftee) came on in the 6th, striking out two batters.

Lynchburg’s offense was competitive, kicking off the scoring in the top of the 3rd. Ralphy Velazquez hit his 10th home run on the season - a two run shot. Luis Merejo scored on a Barrett Riebock force out, putting Lynchburg up 3-0. Fayetteville answered in kind, also putting up three runs in their half of the 3rd inning. In the top of the 4th Welbyn Francisca singled to left, scoring Fran Alduey. But the lead would not hold as the Woodpeckers also put up a run in the bottom of the 4th. Fayetteville took the lead in the bottom of the 5th and the Hillcats would not be able to respond. Their record falls to 54-50 after splitting the doubleheader.