Nikhazy is Nails, Columbus Mashes in Game 1 of Doubleheader
Cleveland Guardians minor league recap for Friday, May 17, 2024
Columbus Clippers 9, Louisville Bats 3
Columbus Clippers 2, Louisville Bats 6
Game 1 Box Score · Game 2 Box Score · Clippers move to 17-24
The ball was soaring out of the park for the Clippers during game 1. Even with the seven-inning cap, Columbus crushed a total 5 round-trippers during the opening matchup. Johnathan Rodriguez, Juan Brito, Daniel Schneeman, Jhonkensy Noel and Micah Pries all joined in on the hit parade with the long balls.
It seems as though they should’ve saved some of those dingers for the second matchup however, as the Columbus offense was only able to muster 2 runs on the game. Jose Tena was the main highlight of the offensive performance for this one, providing the Clippers with two hits and the only two RBI.
Darren McCaughan pitched 5 strong in the opener, giving up three runs on 5 hits and four walks, while K’ing 5 batters. Mason Hickman threw the remaining two innings, while allowing only two baserunners and striking out 4.
Xzavion Curry got touched up quite a bit in game 2 as he had a final line of 3.1 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 2 HR, 5 K. Zay remains devoid of a win so far this season, with his season record falling to 0-5. Jaime Arias and Nick Mikolajchak held their own for the remaining 3.2 innings, giving up only a run on 3 hits and 3 walks.
Akron RubberDucks 1, Altoona Curve 4
Box Score · RubberDucks fall to 23-13
Though the Ducks failed to win this one, Doug Nikhazy has continued to lock down opposing lineups. Doug has yet to give up a single run so far in 18 innings pitched this year. He continued his early dominance, only allowing two baserunners and fanning 6 in 4 IP.
The bullpen for the most part held things down until the Curve, in a tie game in the 9th, got to Jordan Jones for 3 runs. Jones took his 3rd L of the season, putting up a final line of: 3 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K.
The only Rubberduck run that was scored was off a sac fly hit by Alexfri Planez, plating Joe Lampe who had got on base by means of a double. Petey Halpin also had him a good day, going for extra bases twice — once for a double and the second time for a triple.
Lake County Captains 4, Lansing Lugnuts 5
Box Score · Captains fall to 21-15
The Caps offense tried to stay up to pace with that of the Lugnuts, but to no avail. That being said, Nate Furman, Guy Lipscomb and Jake Fox all logged 2 hits each on the day, with Lipscomb going yard for a homer.
Trenton Denholm had a rough start, giving up all 5 of the runs scored by Lansing, while only being able to strike out 4 batters in 5 innings. Adam Tulloch carried out the rest of the duties, throwing 3 clean innings while allowing only 3 baserunners.
Lynchburg Hillcats 2, Delmarva Shorebirds 5
Box Score · Hillcats fall to 19-16
Jaison Chourio was the main highlight on the offensive side for the Cats. He logged 2 hits and drove in a run. Angel Genao and Christian Knapczyk were the only two others to record a hit.
Jackson Humphries gave up a lot of hits, 8, to be exact. But he still managed to give up only 3 runs in his 4 IP. He and Matt Jahchec both had trouble with the long ball, giving up 3 total homers. Humphries was charged with the loss, and now falls to 0-2 on the season.
ACL Guardians 3, ACL Rockies 8
Box Score · ACL Guardians fall to 4-5
Yaikel Mijares had a trip around the bases, hitting his second homer on the season. Jose Pirela, Fran Alduey and Carlos Gutierrez had a few total XBHs of their own, all logging one double each.
Jacob Bresnahan got jumped early and quick by the Rockies’ ACL team, giving up 7 runs in his first two IP. He managed to eat one more inning, but the damage was already done and that would be the end of his day.
The bullpen would go on to give up only one run with 4 baserunners, while K’ing 6 Rockies batters.