Minor League Recap - Strikeout-palooza for Starting Pitching

Columbus Clippers (24-36) - AAA

COL 7 - IND 3

Box Score

The Columbus Clippers beat the Indianapolis Indians (PIT) for the 2nd night in a row. RHP Darren McCaughan went 5.2IP, giving up 2R on 3H, 0BB and a whopping 10 strikeouts. McCaughan has a 5.61ERA with a 1.50WHIP. He improved his record to 3-2 with tonight’s win.

The Clippers turned to LHP Randy Labaut who captured his first hold for the season. Labaut finished the 6th inning, giving up 1BB with 1K. RHP Andrew Walters was brought in for the 7th inning. Walters threw the full inning giving up 1H, 1BB, with 2K. The 8th and 9th innings were pitched by Peter Strzelecki. The RHP gave up 3H, 1R, 0BB, with 2K.

Clippers offense was successful against Indianapolis pitching; José Tena (3), Juan Brito (2), Angel Martínez (2), and Micah Pries (2) all had multi-hit nights. Jhonkensy Noel, Myles Straw, Bryan Lavastida, and Christian Cairo all had hits as well, meaning every Columbus batter recorded at least one hit last night.

Akron RubberDucks (32-23) - AA

AKR 2 - POR 4

Box Score

The RubberDucks unfortunately fell to the Sea Dogs in a close game. The only batters to record a hit for Akron were recent call up, C.J. Kayfus, Alexfri Planez, and Micael Ramirez. Planez was responsible for both RubberDuck RBIs with a 2 run RBI in the Top of the 6th.

Notable at bat from Alexfri:

LHP Ryan Webb took the start for Akron. He was in for 4.0 innings, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits with 3BB, and 3Ks. His record falls to 1-5 on the season. Webb currently has a 3.47ERA with a 1.42WHIP.

Alaska Abney held down the fort for 3.0IP, with 4H, 2R, 1BB, and 1K. Abney has struggled a bit adjusting the AA batting. Since his call up from Lake County, Abney has a 6.75ERA in 6.2IP. RHP Tyler Thornton closed the game, pitching the full 8th inning. Thornton gave up no hits, no runs, 0BBs, and had 1K.

Lake County Captains (32-23) - High A

LC 2 - BEL 0

Box Score

The Beloit Sky Carp (MIA) were bested by the Lake County Captains Friday night. Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson got his first win in High-A. He pitched 5.0 scoreless innings, giving up only 3 hits and 3 walks with 9Ks. Since his call-up from Low A Lynchburg, Wilkinson’s ERA is 3.00 in 15.0 innings with 1.00 WHIP.

RHP Jay Driver recorded his 2nd hold, pitching 2 innings. Driver only gave up 2H, 1BB, and had 4Ks. Over the season, in 17.2IP, Driver has a 0.51ERA with 1.19WHIP. RHP Zane Morehouse closed the game with his 4th save. Morehouse gave up 1H, 1BB, with 4K.

Alex Mooney and Angel Genao both had multi-hit nights. Maick Collado, Johnny Tincher, and Tyresse Turner also recorded a hit.

In the Top of the 2nd, Jonah Advincula was walked with the bases loaded, scoring Angel Genao. The Captain’s second run was scored on a Mooney fly ball single to center field, scoring Turner.

Lynchburg Hillcats (31-24) - Low A

LYN 6 - DEL 2

Box Score

RHP Rorik Maltrud brought home his 3rd win in Lynchburg’s victory over the Delmarva Shorebirds (BAL). Maltrud pitched 5 complete, scoreless innings. He only gave up 3H and 1BB with 7K. Rorik has a 3.00ERA with 1.12WHIP.

RHP Jack Jasiak pitched the 6th and 7th innings, also scoreless. Jasiak gave up 2H with 3Ks. LHP Steven Perez finished the game for the Hillcats. Perez was unable to maintain the shutout, giving up 2 runs - both HRs - on 2 hits with 5Ks.

Jaison Chourio, Esteban Gonzalez, and Juan Benjamin had multi-hit nights with 2 hits each. Luis Durango and Lexer Saduy also recorded hits for the night.

Hillcat offense kicked off the scoring in an electric 4th inning. A double from Chourio scored Gonzalez, a double from Durango scored Chourio, a single from Benjamin scored Durango, and a sac fly from Jose Pastrano scored Benjamin before the side was retired.