Sorry, folks. As an editor, I missed Brian’s submission in a busy day for me in my day job yesterday, but these are the recaps for Tuesday’s Guardians’ minor league games. – Quincy
Columbus Clippers 2, St. Paul Saints 1
Clippers improve to 58-79
There wasn’t much to speak about offensively for this one, but the pitching was fantastic.
Starting pitcher Austin Peterson was sensational, allowing one run on two hits with nine strikeouts and three walks in 5.0 innings. The bullpen was nails the rest of the way
as Jack Leftwich, Matt Krook, Franco Aleman and Cesar Hernandez all pitched a scoreless inning apiece to earn three holds and a save, respectively.
Johnathan Rodriguez and Christian Cairo were the only Clippers to reach base safely twice, both going 1-for-3 with a walk with Cairo also stealing a base. Milan Tolentino doubled as well.
Akron RubberDucks 7, Harrisburg Senators 3
RubberDucks improve to 75-57
The top of Akron’s batting order was terrific in this one as leadoff hitter Christian Knapczyk led the way going 3-for-5, Angel Genao went 2-for-5 and Ralphy Velasquez went 2-for-5.
Jacob Cozart also had a great game, going 2-for-3 with a home run and a walk. The home run came against former top Cleveland pitching prospect Alex Clemmey, who was sent to the Nationals in the Lane Thomas trade.
In a bullpen game, Davis Sharpe surprisingly went 4.0 innings on 50 pitches, allowing two runs on five hits with four strikeouts and no walks. Magnus Ellerts, Tyler Thornton and Jack Jasiak combined for 3.0 scoreless innings of relief and Adam Tulloch allowed one run in his two innings of relief to help preserve the victory.
Lake County Captains 2, West Michigan WhiteCaps 7
Captains trail 0-1 in the division series
Both teams had 11 hits on offense, but West Michigan made much better use of them.
Nick Mitchell led the Captains on offense, going 3-for-4 with a walk while Jaison Chourio and Maick Collado both went 2-for-4 with a double. Jose Devers went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk as well.
Starting pitcher Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson struggled, allowing four runs on seven hits with six strikeouts and one walk in 4.1 innings. Sean Matson didn’t fare much better, allowing two more runs on two hits in 2.0 innings of relief.
Scott Harlow was solid in the game’s final two innings, but the damage had been done. The Captains now will have to win two games on the road to keep their season alive.
Lynchburg Hillcats 2, Fredericksburg Nationals 1
Hillcats lead 1-0 in the division series
The story of this game was sensational pitching from the Hillcats, led by surging 19-year-old prep prospect Joey Oakie, who was Cleveland’s third round pick in 2024. Fresh off double-digit strikeout performances in his last two starts, Oakie allowed one run on four hits with six strikeouts and two walks in 4.0 innings.
The bullpen was lights out the rest of the way as Logan McGuire pitched 2.0 perfect innings with three strikeouts and Guardians 2025 seventh round pick William McCausland added 2.0 scoreless innings before submarine sidewinder Cam Schuelke locked down his first career playoff save with a perfect ninth inning to slam the door.
The Hillcats were led on offense by Juneiker Caceres, who went 3-for-4. Kyle Nelson also reached base safely three times, going 2-for-4 with a walk. Xavier Howard doubled and Logun Clark walked and was hit by a pitch.
