Doug Nikhazy and Parker Messick impress in Columbus and Akron wins, Micael Ramirez walks it off

Cleveland Guardians minor league recap for Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024

Columbus Clippers 7, St. Paul Saints 4

Box Score · Clippers improve to 55-52

The suddenly red-hot Columbus Clippers continued to dominate as they moved on to face a new victim on Tuesday. The star of this game was starting pitcher Doug Nikhazy.

Nikhazy flat out dominated, tossing 5 ²⁄₃ scoreless innings on three hits. He struck out eight and walked two. He continues to impress since being promoted to Triple-A.

Offensively, George Valera led the way, going 3-for-5 with a double and a stolen base. Valera has started to heat up lately and has raised his season batting average to .253 with a .774 OPS.

Other offensive standouts included Raynel Delgado, who went 2-for-4 with a double; Bryan Lavastida, who went 1-for-3 with a double, a walk and a stolen base; Will Brennan, who singled and was hit by a pitch; Myles Straw, who went 2-for-5; and Kyle Manzardo, who went 2-for-4 with a home run and a walk.

A rehabbing Sam Hentges gave up a run in ²⁄₃ of an inning and Peter Strzelecki made it interesting in the ninth inning by giving up three runs, but the Clippers had enough of a cushion that he finished off the game.

Akron RubberDucks 3, Reading Fightin Phils

Box Score · RubberDucks improve to 60-43

Tuesday was the Parker Messick show for Akron. Messick continued his tremendous run since being promoted to Double-A, allowing two runs (zero earned) on two hits with a whopping nine strikeouts and one walk in five innings pitched.

The bullpen also was outstanding as Alaska Abney added two scoreless frames, Zane Morehouse had a perfect inning and Ross Carver finished off the victory with a perfect ninth inning to earn the win.

Crazy as it sounds, Messick would have been in line for the loss until the bottom of the ninth inning, when catcher Micael Ramirez blasted a two-run walk-off home run for the win.

There weren’t many other offensive standouts. Ramirez went 2-for-4 with teh home run. Joe Lampe went 1-for-3 with a walk and Petey Halpin walked twice. Chase DeLauter was responsible for the other run, going 1-for-4 with an RBI (which scored Ramirez).

Lake County and Lynchburg’s games were suspended/postponed due to weather.