The Clippers offense didn’t do much (Jhonkensy Noel 2-for-2 and Kody Huff hit a double), and Parker Messick wasn’t his sharpest as Columbus lost to their Ohio rivals. No home runs surrendered for Messick, but he allowed 9 hits, 4 runs, and 2 walks in six innings, striking out five. Travis Bazzana did not play in this game.
Jacob Cozart’s game-tying double and Tyresse Turner’s go-ahead single pushed Akron over Reading in the top of the 9th. It was a game for hitters for both teams, with the Rubber Ducks getting a 3 for 5 from Angel Genao, a 2 for 4 from Cozart, a 2 for 4 including a home run from Joe Lampe and a 3 for 5 from Jonah Advincula.
The Captains managed to hold on to a victory with excellent pitching performances from Caden Favors (5 innings, 4 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, 8 K’s) and Xavier Martinez (2 and 1/3rd innings of scoreless relief, striking out 5). Jeffry Mercedes continues to hit well in High-A with a 3 for 3 performance in this one, as well as a 2 for 3 from Jose Devers. All 11 Captains hits were singles (they also walked four times).
The Hillcats secured a walk-off victory in this pitcher’s duel on a Luke Hill sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 9th. New draftees Hill and Riley Nelson both had hits and international phenom Junekir Caceres went 3 for 5 with a double on his 18th birthday. Jacob Zibin was good, going four scoreless, but the eye-popping outing was new draftee Will McCausland’s 2 innings of perfect relief in which he struck out five batters.