Minor League Recap: George Valera Hits 3rd Rehab Bomb, Hillcats Sweep Nationals Wednesday

Cleveland Guardians minor league recap for Thursday, May 29, 2025

Columbus Clippers 0, Rochester Red Wings 5

Box Score · Clippers fall to 22-28

The Clippers accrued 3 hits and 3 walks total as they were blanked by the Red Wings Wednesday. The team went 1-7 with runners in scoring position and left 6 men on base.

Milan Tolentino, however, hit his sixth double of the season and David Fry went 1-4 in his second rehab game in Columbus (8 overall).

Will Dion had a good day, giving up only a 2-run bomb in 5.2 innings of work. He gave up 4 hits, no walks, and K’d 6 batters.

Akron RubberDucks 1, Somerset Patriots 0

Box Score · RubberDucks improve to 32-15

Like the Clippers, the RubberDucks had a low-scoring game Wednesday. Unlike the Red Wings, however, the Patriots didn’t score any runs, so Akron won this time around.

Dayan Frias was patient at the plate, drawing 2 walks and recording a single that resulted in him being driven in on a sac fly by Jake Fox.

Cooper Ingle also drew 2 walks and Kahlil Watson is still staying steady, going 1-4 with a single.

Tommy Mace also fanned 6 batters in 4 innings, while walking 4 and allowing 0 hits.

Jake Miller threw 2 scoreless and struck out 3, earning himself the W. Tyler Thornton and Zane Morehouse also earned a hold each, and Magnus Ellerts got himself the save in a clean, 1-2-3 ninth inning.

Lake County Captains 0, Cedar Rapids Kernels 1

Box Score · Captains fall to 25-22

The Clippers weren’t the only Guards affiliate to get shutout Wednesday. The Captains offense also had a rough go, trying to gain any momentum at all.

Only 5 men reached base for the Caps: Christian Knapczyk (single), Ralphy Velazquez (walk), Alfonsin Rosario (single), Jose Devers (single) and Esteban Gonzalez (single). The team left 4 on base and went 0-4 with RISP.

A bright spot on the defense, Johnny Tincher caught 2 runners stealing.

Tugboat was pinned with the loss, as he gave up the only earned run on the day: a home run by Kaelen Culpepper, the Twins’ No. 4 prospect. However, that was the only hit he gave up in 4 innings of work, where he walked 3 more batters and set down 5.

Lynchburg Hillcats 5, Fredricksburg Nationals 0

Lynchburg Hillcats 3, Fredricksburg Nationals 2

Game 1 Box Score · Game 2 Box Score · Hillcats improve to 28-19

Another day, another handful of stolen bases to add to Tommy Hawke’s already absurd MiL-leading total. This time, he nabbed 3 bases on the day to increase the total to 45. Not only that, but Hawke went a combined 3-6 on the day with an RBI and 2 runs scored. Although, he did get picked off and caught stealing twice on the day.

Welbyn Francisca went 2-6 and Garrett Howe earned himself 2 ribbies on a double. He went a total 1-4 with 2 runs and a walk.

In the first game, Braylon Doughty allowed a bit of traffic in his 4.2 innings on the mound. He gave up 2 hits and 4 walks, but didn’t manage to give up any runs, striking out 5 Nationals in the process. Nobody else ended up reaching base, however, as Xavier Martinez and Donovan Zsak held down the fort for the Hillcats.

In the second game, Sean Matson allowed just 1 hit and fanned 3 batters in 4 innings of work. Eudry Alcantara and Conner Whittaker bent, but didn’t break as they both gave up a run each, while maintaining that the Cats stayed in the lead.

ACL Guardians 7, ACL D-Backs 6

Box Score · ACL Guardians improve to 9-11

George Valera has hit yet another homer in rehab, continuing on his already torrid progression back to Columbus. On the day, he went 2-3 with 4 RBI and a sac fly. I wouldn’t expect him to stay in Arizona much longer at this pace.

On the other hand, Jaison Chourio and Angel Genao didn’t record a base hit in their rehab appearances.

Angel Perez had the most impressive showing on the pitching staff Wednesday, going 1.1 innings with 2 Ks and 1 walk