Minor League Recap - Nikhazy and Peterson Impress After Promotions

Minor League Recap for Friday, June 28th, 2024

Columbus Clippers (35-43) - AAA

Game 1

OMA 4 - COL 5

Box Score

The Columbus Clippers and the Omaha Storm Chasers (KC) took the field Friday afternoon in Game 1 of a double header. The Clippers reigned victorious in an exciting walk off win in extra innings.

Game 1 started slow with Joey Cantillo taking the mound. In Cantillo’s 6th game of the season he was still fighting for command, walking the first 2 batters in the 2nd inning, and ultimately walked 4 batters in 3.2 IP. The lefty gave up 5 hits and 3 runs, striking out 6, but his change up was looking good when it was in the zone. RHP Mason Hickman came out to finish the 4th inning and stayed on into the 5th. Hickman was very impressive in his 1.1 IP. He faced 4 batters and struck out 3, with the 4th batter flying out to George Valera in left field. The Clippers turned to Tanner Burns in the 6th and 7th inning. The righty struck out 3 and walked 1 in the sixth inning, but gave up a double that was brought in on a sac fly before walking a batter and then striking out the side to end the inning. Burns ended the night with 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 BB, and 3 K. Going into the 8th inning (extras for MiLB double headers), RHP Peter Strzelecki recorded his 3rd W, facing 3 batters and striking out 2 with the last out coming from the field on a line out to center fielder Estevan Florial.

Offense started with a bang in the first inning. Juan Brito homered for his 11th of the season to right field.

The 2nd and 3rd innings saw some singles and good base running from Christian Cairo, Johnathan Rodriguez, and George Valera. However the Clippers were not able to capitalize on the runners in scoring position. In the bottom of the 4th, Raynel Delgado hit his 3rd HR of the season with 2 outs.

Angel Martinez was hit-by-pitch and upsetting the right fielder and the Columbus bench. His teammates were quick out of the dugout, but cooler heads prevailed and no ejections were necessary. In the bottom of the 7th, Kyle Manzardo singled on a ground ball and advanced to 2nd on a throwing error. Johnathan Rodriguez flied out for the first out. George Valera came up to bat, saw 1 fastball strike, then launched a 2 run home run 107.3 mph 440 ft to center field, tying the game.

In the bottom of the 8th Juan Brito, who scored the first run of the game, hit a 103.3 mph single line drive, scoring Estavan Florial to win the game.

Game 2

OMA 0 - COL 5

Box Score

Game 2 of the double header was an exciting one for Columbus fans to watch. Doug Nikhazy in his first start since getting promoted from AA Akron, settled in immediately. Nikhazy threw all 7 innings of the game, giving up only 2 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 5 and maintains a 0.00 ERA.

On the offense side, the Clippers scored 4 of the 5 runs off of home runs. Kyle Manzardo had himself a multi-HR game. His first HR came in the bottom of the 1st and his second HR (a 2 run HR) in the bottom of the 3rd. Juan Brito started this game with another solo shot in the bottom of the 1st. In the Columbus 6th Myles Straw drew a walk, stole 2nd, then advanced to 3rd on a throwing error. This allowed Christian Cairo to add another RBI when he hit a single ground ball to left field, scoring Straw.

Akron RubberDucks (30-43) - AA

AKR 4 - ALT 2

Box Score

RHP Austin Peterson took the mound for the RubberDucks against the Altoona Curve (PIT) Friday evening. This was Peterson’s first game with Akron since getting called up from Lake County. Peterson went 6.0 IP, giving up 3 H, 2 R, but striking out 10, earning a quality start.

Davis Sharpe took the team through the 8th inning. The righty gave up only 1 H and struck out 3. RHP Jack Leftwich closed out the game in the 9th. The only blemish on the inning was a walk, otherwise he struck out 2 and delivered a hitless, scoreless inning for the Ducks.

RubberDuck offense kept the game’s momentum in their favor, striking first in top of the 3rd. Aaron Bracho singled to center, scoring Connor Kokx who originally reached base on a single of his own. Joe Lampe followed Bracho with a single to right, scoring C.J. Kayfus, who also reached base on a single.

In the top of the 4th, Milan Tolentino added his own single to the mix and was brought home on a forceout grounder from Dayan Frias. In the top of the 6th, with the Curve nipping at their heels, the Ducks pulled together another strong inning. Milan Tolentino double and was followed by a walk from Kody Huff. Connor Kokx drew a walk of his own before, with bases loaded, C.J. Kayfus also walked - scoring a run.

Peterson recorded his first W with the RubberDucks with Leftwich getting his 5th save of the year with Akron.

Lake County Captains (46-27) - High A

GL 1 - LC 2

Box Score

The Lake County Captains continued the affiliate win streak, beating the Loons (LAD) 2-1. RHP Carter Spivey recorded his 5th win with the Captains, going 6.0 IP with 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, and 3 Ks earning himself a quality start. Zane Morehouse came in to pitch the 7th inning, giving up 2 H, 1 BB, but earning 2 Ks. Magnus Ellerts earned his 8th save, pitching both the 8th and 9th innings. The righty threw 2 innings of hitless, scoreless baseball. He gave up 3 BB and struck out 4.

Both Lake County runs came in the bottom of the 5th. Alex Mooney tripled to left field, scoring Angel Genao. Mooney was brought home on a sac fly from Jorge Burgos to left field.

Lynchburg Hillcats (41-32) - Low A

LYN 2 - CAR 5

Box Score

The Lynchburg Hillcats were unsuccessful in completing the affiliate sweep, falling to the Carolina Mudcats (MIL). Starting RHP Alonzo Richardson went 6.0 IP, only giving up 2 R on 4 H with 1 BB and 2 K. Josh Harlow came in to pitch the 7th and unfortunately gave up 3 runs on 3 hits. The RHP recorded his 2nd loss of the season. RHP Reny Artiles closed the game, preventing any further damage, giving up only 1 H and striking out 1.

Lynchburg’s first run came in the top of the 3rd. Christian Knapczyk hit a sac fly to left field, scoring Luis Durango. In the top of the 6th Jose Pastrano walked with bases loaded, scoring Knapczyk who reached base on a HBP.