Jhonkensy Noel just keeps slugging

Cleveland Guardians minor league recap for Aug. 11, 2021

Columbus Clippers 4, Toledo Mud Hens 9

Box Score · Clippers fall to 37-46

Brad Peacock’s chances of reaching the majors in Cleveland get slimmer every time a starter has a good outing. He was able to help himself a little bit yesterday, holding the Toledo Mud Hens to no earned runs off of one hit in his three innings of work. Columbus still lost, 9-4, however.

Kyle Nelson failed to record an out and allowed four runs to cross the plate before he exited, raising his Triple-A ERA on the season to 9.00.

Alex Call, Daniel Johnson, and Nolan Jones each led the way with two hits. Jones and first baseman Trenton Brooks both homered, as well. It was Jones’ 11th home run of the season and he has multiple hits in four of his last six games.

Akron RubberDucks 7, Reading Fightin’ Phils 1

Box Score · RubberDucks improve to 52-32

You can’t ask for much more out of Connor Pilkington’s first two starts in the Cleveland organization. The 23-year-old held the Phils to one run over five innings yesterday, striking out four and walking three before his day was done. He had virtually the same line his first RubberDucks outing.

The ‘Ducks jumped out to an early lead thanks to Andrew Monasterio’s 4-for-4 day, including his fourth triple of the season. Jose Fermin hit the only homer of the day, but Akron’s 12 hits were enough to rack up the runs early (four in the second inning) and late (another three in the eighth).

Lake County Captains 5, West Michigan Whitecaps 11

Box Score · Captains fall to 44-41

José Tena. That’s it. That’s the recap.

The young shortstop finished a triple shy of the cycle yesterday as he hit his 11th home run and led the Captains with three hits in their 11-5 loss.

Tena’s offensive performance, along with a combined solid seven innings from Kevin Coulter and Tim Herrin, had Lake County set up for a win heading into the eighth. Unfortunately, Kevin Kelly and Kellen Rholl imploded in the back-end of the bullpen, allowing five earned runs over the final two innings. All three of Kelly’s outs came via strikeout, but he also allowed a whopping four earned runs on three hits.

Lynchburg Hillcats 5, Delmarva Shorebirds 1

Box Score · Hillcats improve to 43-41

You’re not going to believe this, but Jhonkensy Noel hit another baseball very hard.

His 11th home run of the season gave the Hillcats the lead in the sixth inning before they added a few more and held on for the win. Noel continues to outclass Single-A pitchers to the tune of a .371/.405/.662 slash line.

Starting pitcher Brauny Munoz struck out three and walked three in his six innings of work, with the only run crossing the plate being unearned due to a passed ball.