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On a soggy Sunday, it wasn’t just Cleveland that got rained out, but two Cleveland minor league affiliates as well. The two remaining teams were High-A and Low-A, which both featured some very intriguing arms starting their games.
Here’s the action from Around the Corner last night.
Lake County Captains 0, Lansing Lugnuts 2
Box Score · Captains fall to 3-3
In his professional debut, Mason Hickman got off to an incredible start, striking out five in his first two innings, but the wheels came off after that, as he was pulled in the fourth inning, having allowed three runs in 3.1 innings of work on five hits with one walk and six strikeouts.
Video of all six strikeouts of #Indians 22yr old RHP prospect Mason Hickman in his pro-debut today for (High A) Lake County. Hickman was Cleveland's 2020 5th Round Pick out of Vanderbilt. @HickmanMason @LCCaptains #OurCLE #Future pic.twitter.com/LkfNM8TebB
— Indians Prospective (@indiansPro) May 10, 2021
Lake County worked its way back into the game with RBI hits from Will Brennan and Raynel Delgado, but the Captains bullpen allowed two more runs, and the Captains were held in check the rest of the way.
Delgado and Bryan Lavistada both stole a base in the loss, and George Valera made up for not getting a hit by walking twice.
Lynchburg Hillcats 8, Fredericksburg Nationals 4
Box Score · Hillcats improve to 6-0
Lenny Torres made his return to the mound after over two and a half years away due to Tommy John surgery and the pandemic, and he needed to shake off some rust.
Torres was saved by a caught stealing in the first inning but still allowed three runs to score after walking two, hitting a batter, and giving up a bases-clearing double.
The flame-throwing prospect finished with a final line of 2.0 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, and one HBP. It’s just one start, so we’ll have to give him some time to clear the cobwebs.
Great to see #Indians 20yr old RHP prospect Lenny Torres Jr. back on the mound! Torres Jr. Making his 1st appearance since 2018 struggled some with his command. He did strikeout two over his two innings pitched. @LennyTorresJr02 @LynHillcats #OurCLE #Future pic.twitter.com/ofOvSv3rmc
— Indians Prospective (@indiansPro) May 10, 2021
On the bright side, the Lynchburg offense continues to rumble
Jhonkensy Noel was so intimidating that the 19-year-old drew an intentional walk, finishing 2-for-4 with his fourth double of the season.
The big hit of the game was a two-run home run by Johnathan Rodriguez, his second long ball of the season. Rodriguez went 3-for-5 at the dish.
Lynchburg Hillcats 21yr old OF Johnathan Rodriguez with his 2nd HR of the season a 2 run shot in the 7th inning. Rodriguez is of to a tremendous start in 2021!
— Indians Prospective (@indiansPro) May 10, 2021
9-21 5R 1(2B) 2HR 7RBI 2BB .429 AVG .520 OBP@jjrodz55 @LynHillcats #Indians #OurCLE pic.twitter.com/HD22ZvYkFY
Julian Escobido also had a multi-hit game, going 2-for-5 while Angel Martinez reached base three times, going 1-for-2 with a triple and two walks. Catcher Andres Melendez also went 1-for-2 with a pair of walks.
Zach Hart tossed three scoreless innings of relief to give the Hillcats time to get back into the game and Andrew Misiaszek earned the win with 2.1 scoreless innings of relief. Jerson Ramirez closed the door with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
Triple-A Columbus and Double-A Akron’s games were rained out.