Doug Nikhazy and Austin Peterson dominate in starts after promotions, Juan Brito hits three doubles

Cleveland Guardians minor league recap for Thursday, July 4, 2024

Columbus Clippers 4, Toledo Mud Hens .

Box Score · Clippers improve to 37-46

Angel Martinez led the way for the Clippers, going 3-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored.

Juan Brito was right there with Martinez, going 3-for-5 with a whopping three doubles and three runs batted in. Brito has been heating up significantly of late.

Johnathan Rodriguez and Micah Pries both went 1-for-3 with a walk, while Christian Cairo went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk.

Micah Pries also had a three-hit game, going 3-for-4 with a home run. Bryan Lavastida went 2-for-4 with a double and three runs batted in.

Starting pitcher Doug Nikhazy is adapting well to Triple-A. The former second round pick tossed four scoreless innings on two hits with six strikeouts and two walks. He has yet to allow a run in his first two starts since being promoted to Columbus.

Tanner Burns had a hiccup in the bullpen with two runs in two innings, but Hunter Stanley, Peter Strzelecki and Anthony Gose locked it down the rest of the way.

Akron RubberDucks 9, Erie SeaWolves 1

Box Score · RubberDucks improve to 45-33

Even though Akron scored four runs with four home runs, the story of this game was pitching. Austin Peterson was sensational as he continues to dominate since being promoted to Double-A. The talented right-hander was almost perfect, tossing seven shutout innings with just one hit allowed while striking out five and walking zero. Peterson is rocketing up my prospect rankings with his performance this season.

Offensively, Milan Tolentino went 2-for-4 with a home run and a double to lead the way for Akron.

Other standouts included Conner Kokx, who went 2-for-3 with a walk and two stolen bases, and C.J. Kayfus, who went 2-for-5 with two RBIs.

No one else had a multi-hit game, but Kahlil Watson and Alexfri Planez both homered and Joe Lampe went 1-for-3 with a home run and a walk.

Lake County Captains 2, Dayton Dragons 1 (F/10)

Box Score · Captains improve to 47-30

Another level, another pitcher who dominated after being promoted. Rorik Maltrud wasn’t even drafted last year, but he earned a promotion to High-A and he had his second consecutive spectacular start for the Captains.

This time, Maltrud pitched six innings, allowing one run on five hits with four strikeouts and two walks. He’s allowed two runs in 11 innings so far since he’s promoted.

The bullpen was absolutely dominant, not even allowing a hit in the next four innings and walking just one. Zane Morehouse had a perfect inning, Magnus Ellerts had two perfect frames with four strikeouts and Adam Tulloch closed out the victory with a scoreless 10th inning.

Offensively, Angel Genao had himself a great game. Genao went 3-for-5 with a run scored and his RBI was the go-ahead single in the top of the 10th inning.

Jonah Advincula also had a huge performance, going 2-for-4 with a walk and two stolen bases. Jake Fox went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk.

Lynchburg Hillcats 5, Salem Red Sox 11

Box Score · Hillcats fall to 44-34

Judging from the final score, you’d probably never think this was a spectacularly-pitched game from Lynchburg’s starter. Alonzo Richardson opened the game with six scoreless innings before running into some trouble in the seventh, where he ended up giving up three runs. He still finished with a quality start, allowing three runs on six hits in 6 ²⁄₃ innings with three strikeouts and no walks.

The game stayed close until the defense and pitching broke down in the top of the ninth inning, allowing Salem to score seven runs (two earned).

Offensively, Esteban Gonzalez and Jaison Chourio doubled while Wuilfredo Antunez tripled.

ACL Guardians 2, ACL Giants 4

Box Score · Guardians fall to 19-26

The ACL Guardians managed just three hits. Carlos Gutierrez had two of them, going 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI.

Starting pitcher Jogly Garcia was excellent, allowing one run on four hits in 3 ²⁄₃ innings with seven strikeouts and no walks.

DSL CLE Goryl 5, DSL Royals Fortuna 14

Box Score · Goryl fall to 14-8

DSL Goryl had just three hits in the game. Luis De La Cruz went 1-for-2 with a double. Romer Tavarez walked three times with a stolen base.

The pitching was pretty awful for Goryl, but starting pitcher Renil Ramos allowed one run on no hits in three innings. The run was allowed because he walked three and hit three batters while striking out three.