Minor League Recap - Joey Cantillo Secures First W

Clippers split a double header, RubberDucks win behind great Webb outing, Captains bullpen can’t finish, and Lynchburg is rained out.

Columbus Clippers (40-49) - AAA

Game 1

COL 2 - IND 5

Box Score

The Columbus Clippers lost game 1 of Friday night’s double header. Triston McKenzie recorded his first loss in AAA. He threw 79 pitches in 4.0 innings, giving up 6 hits, 4 runs, and 1 walk. He struck out 5 batters. Unfortunately I was unable to watch his start, based on his stat line, this isn’t looking great. I am choosing to believe that he is working stuff out and making adjustments and changes. RHP Nick Mikolajchak took over in the 5th inning. He threw 25 pitches in 1 inning of work. Mikolajchak allowed 1 hit, 1 run, 1 walk, and struck out 1. His ERA is currently sitting at 2.18 with a WHIP of 1.50 in 20.2 innings pitched this season. I would be interested to see when Mikolajchak gets a look or if he ends up being a trade piece. He has a career 2.45 ERA in the minors. If Mikolajchak can stay healthy, he might end up being a necessary bullpen piece as the Guardians make a push to the playoffs. RHP Tyler Beede pitched the final frame of the game. Beede gave up 1 hit, 1 walk, and struck out 1.

Game 1 Columbus offense only put up 2 runs on 5 hits. Juan Brito continued his impressive season in AAA, scoring first again. This time it was in the top of the 3rd on a wild pitch. In the top of the 5th Raynel Delgado hit his fifth home run, a solo shot to right center. The ball traveled 436 ft at 108.6 mph EV.

Game 2

COL 8 - IND 2

Box Score

Joey Cantillo gets his first win of the season in Game 2 of the double header. Cantillo pitched 5.0 innings, throwing 82 pitches. He allowed 6 hits, 1 run, and struck out 6. As JL_Baseball pointed out on X, Cantillo didn’t walk anyone and threw a lot of strikes. This could hopefully be the start of Cantillo settling in and getting quality starts. RHP Tanner Burns came on in relief in the 6th inning. He started strong with a groundout, single, and a forceout to start the inning. With 2 outs, he gave up another single and a walk to load the bases. Burns walked a batter in and was pulled for Anthony Gose. The LHP recorded his 7th save of the season in 1.1 innings in 14 pitches. Gose was locked in, not giving up a hit or a walk. He struck out 3. Gose is another bullpen pitcher that I would love to see make his return to the majors.

Game 2 was much more successful for the Columbus hitters. They scored 8 runs in 10 hits. In the top of the 1st, Jonathan Rodriguez hit a 2 RBI double, scoring Juan Brito and Kyle Manzardo. In the top of the 5th, Delgado hit another home run, his 6th of the season. The 2 run homer put the Clippers up 4-1 over Indianapolis (PIT). In the top of the 7th, Johnathan Rodriguez hit a 2 run homer, his 16th HR of the season. With two outs, Myles Straw singled and was brought home on a Dom Nuñez homer.

Akron RubberDucks (50-35) - AA

AKR 8 - REA 3

Box Score

The RubberDucks were victorious again off a Ryan Webb start. LHP Webb got his 3rd win this season against the Reading Fightin Phils (PHI), recording a quality start. He threw 77 pitches in 6.0 scoreless innings of work. He only allowed 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 8. RHP Hunter Stanley pitched the 7th inning. He allowed 2 hits, 2 runs, and struck out 2. RHP Ross Carver worked the 8th and 9th inning for the Duckies. He faced 9 batters, allowing 3 hits and 1 run. He struck out 3.

Akron batters had a fun night, recording 8 runs on 12 hits. In the top of the 1st Kody Huff hit an RBI double, scoring Aaron Bracho who reached on a single. In the top of the 2nd Dayan Frias reached on a throwing error but didn’t reach 2nd after Connor Kokx grounded into a force out. Joe Donovan struck out swinging, but the wild pitch allowed him to still take 1st base. C.J. Kayfus drew a walk to load the bases. Alexfri Planez hit a single fly ball scoring Connor Kokx, Joe Donovan, and C.J. Kayfus that put the RubberDucks up 4 on the Fightin Phils.

In the top of the 7th Alexfri Planez led off the inning with a double to center field. Aarcon Brachon reached base with a walk and was followed by Kody Huff also walking. Yordys Valdes grounded into a force out that scored Alexfri Planez. The top of the 8th followed a similar trend. Connor Kokx started the inning with a single to right field. C.J. Kayfus drew a walk and Alexfri Planez reached base, again, on a soft single to the pitcher. Aaron Bracho hit a line drive single to center, scoring Kokx and Kayfus. Planez scored from 3rd on a wild pitch for the last run of the evening.

Lake County Captains (51-33) - High A

LAN 6 - LC 5

Box Score

The Lake County Captains fell to the Lansing Lugnuts (OAK) Friday night. RHP Trenton Denholm took the mound. He went for 5.2 innings, allowing 4 hits, 4 runs, and 3 walks but struck out 4. RHP Juan Zapata came in to finish the 6th inning. Zapata only allowed 1 hit and 2 walks and struck out 1. The loss fell on RHP Magnus Ellerts (3-3) who pitched 2.0 innings. He allowed 2 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk and struck out 2.

The Captains were leading the Lugnuts by 1 run going into the 9th inning. In the bottom of the 3rd, Guy Lipscomb kicked off scoring for the Captains, scoring Tyresse Turner on a single to center. In the bottom of the 4th, Jake Fox hit a 2 run homer - his 5th on the season. Jose Devers then stole 3rd base after reaching on a double. A throwing error by the catcher allowed Devers to score. In the bottom of the 8th, Jorge Burgos hit an RBI double to score Cooper Ingle. Unfortunately the Captains pitching couldn’t keep the team in the game and the Captains fell to 51-33 on the season.

Lynchburg Hillcats (46-38) - Low A

Friday night’s games between the Hillcats and the Delmarva Shorebirds (BAL) was rained out. It will be made up today as part of a double header.