Columbus Clippers 6, Toledo Mud Hens 10
Clippers fall to 49-61
In his Triple-A debut, former No. 1 overall draft pick Travis Bazzana led off for Columbus and did his job admirably, walking three times and striking out twice in his five plate appearances.
Khalil Watson also is showing signs of life after his promotion to Triple-A earlier in July, posting his best game with the Clippers by going 3-for-5 with a double and his fourth Triple-A home run.
Johnathan Rodriguez also had a huge game, going 3-for-5
with a home run while Jhonkensy Noel blasted a mammoth 443-foot bomb in the ninth inning that briefly helped the Clippers take a 6-5 lead. Milan Tolentino also went 2-for-4 at the dish while George Valera doubled and walked.
Unfortunately, the bullpen had a major letdown as Franco Aleman was brought in to get the save and got absolutely hammered for five runs on four hits with one walk while only getting one out.
The letdown ruined what had been the best start of the season for starting pitcher Will Dion, who tossed 5.0 scoreless innings with five strikeouts, three walks and just three hits allowed. Trevor Stephan walked a pair in a scoreless inning of relief.
Akron RubberDucks 9, Reading Fightin Phils 11
RubberDucks fall to 62-46
Akron’s offense wasn’t the problem on Tuesday. Ralphy Velazquez had a solid Double-A debut, going 1-for-4 with a triple and a walk.
Joining Velazquez on the triple parade was Angel Genao, who went 2-for-5 with a double and a triple and Christian Knapczyk, who went 2-for-4 with a triple and a walk.
Joe Lampe went 1-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base while Conner Barstad went 1-for-3 with a home run and a walk. Guy Lipscomb went 2-for-3 2ith two walks while Tyresse Turner went 2-for-4.
Every pitcher struggled for Akron, beginning with Trenton Denholm, who was knocked around for four runs on six hits in 4.1 innings. He struck out five and walked one.
Reliever Zane Morehouse was tattooed for four runs in just 0.1 innings to take the loss, although Jack Jasiak should get some credit for that as he allowed all three inherited runners to score when he came into the game.
Lake County Captains 8, Peoria Chiefs 0
Captains improve to 61-48
Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson had one of his best games of the season, tossing 5.0 shutout innings with seven strikeouts and no walks on five hits. He was followed by the High-A debut of Rafe Schlesinger, who piggybacked Wilkinson perfectly with 4.0 innings of scoreless long relief and allowing just one hit.
Offensively, Nick Mitchell was terrific, going 3-for-4 with a double and a walk. Ryan Cesarini went 2-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base and Esteban Gonzalez went 2-for-3 with two walks and two stolen bases.
Jaison Chourio walked twice and Maick Collado went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk.
Lynchburg Hillcats 7, Delmarva Shorebirds 5
Hillcats improve to 57-49
Several of Cleveland’s 2025 MLB Draft picks made their professional debuts with the Hillcats on Tuesday, and none were more impressive than fifth round pick Riley Nelson, a first baseman out of Vanderbilt.
Nelson went 4-for-5 with three doubles and a stolen base. Third round pick Nolan Schubart went 2-for-5 with a double and fourth round pick Luke Hill went 1-for-4 with a double and a walk.
Perhaps inspired by the new reinforcements, international prospects Welbyn Frnacisca and Luis Merejo both had strong games as well. Francisca went 2-for-4 with a home run and a walk while Merejo blasted a three-run home run that walked off the game for the Hillcats in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Yaikel Mijares also reached base safely three times, going 1-for-2 with three walks and a stolen base.
Starting pitcher Melkis Hernandes allowed two runs on six hits in 5.1 innings while striking out three and walking two. Angel Perez added 1.2 scoreless innings of relief and Keegan Zinn earned the win with a scoreless top of the ninth inning.
