Daniel Espino strikes out 10, George Valera homers again, water is wet

Cleveland Guardians minor league recap for Aug. 22, 2021

Columbus Clippers 0, Omaha Storm Chasers 3

Box Score · Clippers fall to 44-49

It’s difficult to maintain a season-long winning streak when you don’t score any runs.

Gabriel Arias had the lone extra base hit with a double and Alex Call was the lone Clipper to reach base twice, singling and walking, although he also was caught stealing.

Starting pitcher Brad Peacock pitched well, allowing two runs in 5.0 innings with six strikeouts and a walk. Francisco Perez and Jordan Stephens added a scoreless inning of relief each.

Akron RubberDucks 2, Harrisburg Senators 1

Box Score · RubberDucks improve to 59-35

Pitching was the name of the game in this one.

Starting pitcher Adam Scott was brilliant, allowing just one run on four hits in 6.0 innings while striking out seven and walking none. A combination of Ben Krauth, Aaron Pinto and Nick Mikolajchak finished the game with three scoreless innings of relief to preserve the victory.

Offensively, Bryan Lavastida went 2-4 with a double, Chris Roller went 2-3 with a double and Steven Kwan went 2-4. Crazy as it sounds, this game featured zero walks on either side.

Lake County Captains 9, Dayton Dragons 2

Box Score · Captains improve to 51-44

How good is George Valera? The stud outfield prospect had one of the best games of his career on Saturday, going perfect at the plate with three walks, a home run, a single, a hit by pitch and two stolen bases in six plate appearances.

He also did this:

Valera had a couple minor injuries earlier in the season, but he’s now qualified for the league leaderboards at High-A. So let’s see where he stands?

Yeah, that’s pretty damn good.

Valera wasn’t alone in his destruction. Victor Nova went 3-6 with two doubles, Quentin Holmes singled, walked and stole a base, Wilfri Peralta went 1-2 with two walks and a hit by pitch

Oh yeah, and not to be forgotten, top Cleveland pitching prospect Daniel Espino was on the mound and he was absolutely brilliant. Espino struck out 10 batters in 5.0 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while walking three to earn his first win at High-A.

Lynchburg Hillcats 10, Salem Red Sox 11 (F/10)

Box Score · Hillcats fall to 47-48

Lynchburg battled back with four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to tie the game, but they couldn’t keep pace with Salem in extra innings.

Gabriel Rodriguez went 3-5, Maikel Ramirez went 2-5 with a walk, Korey Holland doubled and walked, Cesar Idrogo went 2-4 with a double and a walk and Petey Halpin scored three times after singling, walking and getting hit by a pitch.

ACL Guardians 4, ACL Reds 6

Box Score · Guardians fall to 26-13

Isaiah Greene: 2-5, 2B, CS
Milan Tolentino: 2-5
Dayan Frias: 3-4, 2 2B
Junior Sanquinton: 1-5, 2B
Jorge Burgos: 1-3, 2 BB, SB
Jesus Lara: 1-3, BB, CS
Steven Perez: 3.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K

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An intrasquad game between Cleveland’s DSL Red and Blue teams was postponed by rain.