Minor League Recap - Akron Falls to the SeaWolves

Akron’s season ends in close loss to the SeaWolves.

Columbus Clippers (79-67) - AAA

COL 4 - TOL 10

Box Score

The Columbus Clippers fell to the Toledo Mud Hens (DET) Friday night. After clinching a playoff berth of their own the Clippers started Friday night’s game with Zak Kent taking the mound. Kent pitched 2.0 innings, allowing 6 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 3. Kent was pulled after a wild pitch followed by a balk scored two before the next batter was hit by pitch before recording an out in the 3rd inning. Triston McKenzie came in from the bullpen, a role we’re seeing more frequently. McKenzie threw 1.2 innings giving up 2 hits, 2 walks, and 4 runs - 3 of which were earned. Nick Mikolajchak finished the 4th inning and pitched the 5th and 6th. He only allowed 1 walk and struck out 5 batters. Andrew Misiaszek threw the remaining 2.0 innings of the game. He was perfect, seeing 6 batters and striking out 6 batters.

Columbus’ offense finally got on the board in the 4th inning, already down by 8 runs. Dom Nuñez hit a 2-run home run off a 90.1 mph Cutter low and over the plate, scoring Johnathan Rodriguez. In the top of the 8th, the team tried to piece together a rally. Bryan Lavastida started the inning with a walk. Micah Pries hit a single to left, allowing Lavastida to advanced to 3rd. The throw in from the left fielder to 3rd was not in time, allowing Pries to advance to 2nd. Christian Cairo came up, now with two outs, and doubled on a fly ball to center, scoring Lavastida and Pries. Unfortunately this is where the scoring would stop for Columbus.

Akron RubberDucks - AA

AKR 1 - ERI 2

Box Score

After forcing a Game 3 in the Division Series, the RubberDucks fell short in their quest for a championship. Trenton Denholm was the RubberDucks starting pitcher Friday night in Erie. Denholm pitched 4.2 innings of competitive baseball. He allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, but walked 5 batters. Denholm struck out 4. However the 2 allowed runs were all Erie needed to secure a win and give Denholm the loss.

Alaska Abney came in the 5th inning to finish and started the 6th. He went 0.2 IP, giving up 3 hits and striking out 1. Bradley Hanner finished the 6th inning, going 1.0 IP of scoreless ball. He walked 3 batters and struck out 1. Magnus Ellerts closed the game, keeping the SeaWolves to two runs. Ellerts walked 1 batter and struck out 2 in his 1.2 innings pitched.

The RubberDucks were in a close battle with the SeaWolves. In the top of the 3rd center fielder Joe Lampe made a stellar play to keep the SeaWolves at bay.

In the top of the 5th Milan Tolentino hit a solo bomb to tie the game.

Unfortunately the Ducks weren’t able to answer after Erie scored a 2nd run. This team has remained competitive and aggressive all season. The talent on this roster is formidable and many pieces will be making a major league impact soon. Despite the disappointment from this loss, there is so much to be excited for on both the individual and team level. So many players have made consistent and big impact all season. I am looking forward to the continued development of these players and very excited to see what they will achieve as they work their way to the show.