Minor League Recap - Tommy Hawke Reaches 30 Stolen Bases

The Clippers continue to battle the Saints and mother nature, the RubberDucks lose to the Curve while the Caps and Hillcats bring home W’s.

Columbus Clippers (14-15) - AAA

Box Score

STP 6 - COL 4

Doug Nikhazy started for the Clippers on Friday, in what was supposed to be Game 1 of a double header. A lead off double near immediately bit Nikhazy when the third batter of the game hit a two-run homer. With the exception of the third inning, Nikhazy allowed a run in every inning of work, including a lead off homer run in the top of the fifth before he was pulled. Nikhazy earned his first loss of the season throwing four complete innings. He allowed five earned runs on eight hits, walking three and striking out three.

Andrew Misiaszek came in the top of the fifth and gave up three singles to allow another run to score before striking out the side. In the top of the sixth, Mason Hickman faced two batters before the game entered a rain delay, ultimately being called.

The Clippers offense stuck with the St. Paul Saints the entire game, but without the opportunity to try and rally back, they just fell short. In the bottom of the second, back-to-back lead off walks and a groundout had runners on second and third for Milan Tolentino. Tolentino hit a sac fly to score Johnathan Rodríguez. In the bottom of the third, the Clippers lead off with another walk, this time from Christian Cairo. Petey Halpin and Yordys Valdes both hit singles, Valdes’ scoring Cairo. With runners on first and second, Will Brennan hit a RBI double to right, scoring Halpin. Rodríguez and C.J. Kayfus drew back-to-back walks, walking in a runner before the side was retired. The Clippers notched a couple of hits after the third inning, but came up empty.

Game 2 was postponed to today. Game 2 was originally postponed April 5th and has since been postponed three times. Here’s hoping it gets played in today’s scheduled double header. First pitch for Game 1 is scheduled for 2:05 PM EDT at Huntington Park. LHP Parker Messick will get the start for the Clippers.

Akron RubberDucks (16-9) - AA

Box Score

AKR 2 - ALT 6

The RubberDucks couldn’t carry the momentum of Thursday’s win into Friday against the Altoona Curve. LHP Rodney Boone got the start for Akron, earning his first loss of the season. Boone threw 4.2 innings, allowing four earned runs on five hits. Boone walked one and struck out two. Boone started out strong with two straight innings of flyouts to face the minimum. In the bottom of the third, a lead off double and a single put runners on the corner. Cooper Ingle committed a throwing error, allowing the runners to steal home and second base. Boone walked the next batter. A double to center scored two, putting the Curve up by two. A solo shot in the bottom of the fourth would account for Boone’s final earned run. In the bottom of the fifth, Boone got the first two batters out, but was pulled after allowing a single. LHP Shawn Rapp finished the inning, allowing two walks before retiring the side. RHP Ross Carver unknowingly closed the game for the RubberDucks. He pitched the sixth inning, allowing two more runs to score on three hits. He struck out three.

The game was also rained out, getting called after the sixth.

The duckies started things off with back-to-back doubles. Travis Bazzana hit the lead off double and then scored when Cooper Ingle followed up with a double of his own.

In the top of the sixth, Justin Boyd and Alex Mooney hit back-to-back, one-out singles. Jake Fox reached on a fielding error to load the bases. A two-out walk brought in another run, what would be the final run for Akron.

The RubberDucks face off against the Curve today with first pitch scheduled for 4:00 PM EDT in Altoona. RHP Tommy Mace gets the start for Akron.

Lake County Captains (14-11) - High A

Box Score

LC 5 - LAN 3

Lake County got to complete a full game and secured a victory! LHP Josh Hartle earned his first win on the season. Hartle has a strong start, facing the minimum through two. The first base runner allowed was a lead off walk in the bottom of the third. In the bottom of the fourth, things got away from Hartle. Hartle gave up three hits (a single, a double, and an RBI single) before recording the first out. A wild pitch allowed the second run to score then Hartle walked another batter, but Hartle picked off the runner trying to steal second then turn around and struck out the next batter.

Hartle gave up another RBI single before retiring the side. Hartle finished the day with five complete innings pitched. He allowed three runs on five hits, walking two and striking out five. RHP Yorman Gomez came in for the save and pitched four scoreless innings. He walked one batter, gave up three hits, and struck out one.

The Captains victory was a team contribution with eight of the nine batters getting on base. In the top of the second, Christian Knapczyk and Johnny Tincher drew back-to-back walks. Esteban Gonzalez hit a single to right to score Knapczyk, putting the Captains on the board first.

In the top of the fourth, up by two, Jose Devers hit a lead off double to left. Knapczyk hit a RBI single to score Devers, but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double. Tincher drew a one-out walk and Kyle Dernedde hit a two-out single. With runners on the corners, Advincula drew a walk to load the bases. Jaison Chourio his a single to center that scored Tincher and Dernedde to put the Captains up 5-0.

The Captains will face the Lugnuts today with first pitch at 4:05 PM EDT in Lansing. Tug Boat gets the start for the Captains.

Lynchburg Hillcats (16-9) - Low A

Box Score

CHS 0 - LYN 6

The Hillcats continued their hot start with a shutout victory over the Charleston RiverDogs. LHP Melkis Hernandez earned his second win of the season with a scoreless, hitless outing. Hernandez went 5.1 innings, walking three batters and striking out six. RHP Xavier Martinez continue the scoreless pitching, allowing one hit and two walks but striking out four in his 1.2 innings of work. RHP Logan McGuire closed out the final two innings for the Hillcats, allowing no runs, no hits, and not walking a single batter.

Tommy Hawke had an adventurous first inning. He drew a lead off walk then ended up on third base after two wild pitches. Bennett Thompson hit a RBI double to score Hawke. In the bottom of the third, Welbyn Francisca hit a one-out solo shot to right center to put the Hillcats up by two. Luis Merejo then hit a double and Garrett Howe drew a two-out walk. With runners on first and second, Jose Pirela hit a three run homer to right to open up this game for Lynchburg. In the bottom of the seventh, with one out, Tommy Hawke bunted his way onto first base. Hawke then proceeded to steal his 29th and 30th stolen base on the season.

The Hillcats will play today at the Bank of the James Stadium. First pitch is at 6:30 PM EDT with RHP Braylon Doughty getting the start.