George Valera carted off in Columbus, Lake County wins first playoff game
Cleveland Guardians minor league recap for Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Columbus Clippers 4, St. Paul 7
Box Score · Clippers fall to 72-65
Columbus starting pitcher Will Dion got absolutely obliterated in this one. Dion was tattooed for six runs on six hits with three walks and two strikeouts in just 2 2⁄3 innings. Nick Mikolajchak allowed one additional run in 1 1⁄3 innings of relief.
The surprise of this game was Triston McKenzie. Appearing in a piggy-back role, McKenzie came out of the bullpen and absolutely dominated. He struck out four, allowing one walk and one hit in three scoreless innings of long relief. Maybe taking the starting pitching pressure off was all he needed. We’ll have to wait and see.
#Guardians RHP Triston McKenzie came out of the pen tonight for Columbus in the 5th inning. McKenzie looked sharp striking out four St. Paul batters over 3.0 scoreless innings of work.
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) September 11, 2024
Line - 3.0(IP) 1H 0R 0ER 1BB 4SO (36 Pitches 23 Strikes)#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/qFdf6DwiWJ
On a really crappy note, George Valera, who had been making big strides this past month and looked like he was finally ready to make his MLB debut, severely injured himself attempting to make a catch in the outfield and had to be carted off the field. No word yet on the severity of his injury, but it doesn’t look good.
Terrible to see #Guardians 23yr old OF prospect George Valera injured jumping at the wall for a ball in the top of the 2nd inning for Columbus against St. Paul. Valera had to be carted off the field. pic.twitter.com/vQQoljU9jm
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) September 10, 2024
Micah Pries came off the bench to go 2-for-3 in Valera’s place. Estevan Florial was the only other player to reach base safely twice, going 1-for-3 with a home run and a walk.
Angel Martinez added a double.
Akron RubberDucks 4, Hartford Yard Goats 3
Box Score · RubberDucks fall to 78-55
Kody Huff had one of his best games of the season, going 2-for-3 with a double and a home run and a walk.
#Guardians 23yr old (C) prospect Kody Huff ties the game at 2-to-2 with a solo HR for Akron in the 3rd inning against Hartford! The HR was his 7th of the season. #ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/e9amqQbTnc
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) September 10, 2024
Kahlil Watson added a solo shot that put Akron ahead for good in the seventh inning. Tyresse Turner went 2-for-4 with a double while Alexfri Planez went 1-fo-3 with a walk.
Starting pitcher Tommy Mace allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits with two walks and five strikeouts and 5 1⁄3 innings pitched.
The bullpen was tremendous. Lenny Torres Jr. added 1 2⁄3 scoreless innings to earn the win and Mason Hickman and Bradley Hanner both chipped in a scoreless frame as well to earn a hold and a save.
Lake County Captains 4, Dayton Dragons 3
Box Score · Captains take 1-0 lead in the series
In his playoff debut, Matt “Tugboat” Wilksonson gave it his all, allowing two runs (one earned) in 5 2⁄3 innings. He allowed five hits and walked three while striking out two.
Zach Jacobs added 2 1⁄3 perfect innings of relief and Sean Rapp earned the save.
Offensively, Zach Cozart led the way, going 2-for-4 with two runs batted in.
Angel Genao homered, hitting a solo shot in the first inning. Ralphy Velazquez also reached base safely twice, going 1-for-3 with a double and a walk. Travis Bazzana walked and stole a base.