Jaison Chourio’s late blast helped turn a wild night into a win, while the Captains rolled behind a sharp outing from Jacob Zibin and the Howlers got a big lift from Dauri Fernandez.
The RubberDucks needed extra innings to finish off the Curve, but they got there thanks to Chourio’s pinch-hit homer in the bottom of the ninth to tie it up. Alex Mooney then took over from there, going 3-4 with 2 RBIs and delivering the game-winning sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the 10th. Nick Mitchell chipped in with a 2-4 night and an RBI, and Angel Martinez went 1-4 with a walk in his rehab appearance as he appears close to returning to Cleveland.
Dylan DeLucia’s season has been a rough one, and this start was only okay by his standards. He gave up two earned runs in 3.1 innings with 3 strikeouts and 2 walks, pushing his ERA to 6.88.
The Captains were far more comfortable in their 9-1 win over the TinCaps, even though they managed only 6 hits. Tommy Hawke set the tone by going 2-3 with two walks and a triple. Jonah Advincula added a 1-3 line with a walk and a two-RBI single, and Juan Benjamin also came through with a two-RBI single in the top of the fourth.
Zibin was the story on the mound. He fired 4 scoreless innings, struck out 6, and didn’t issue a walk. Jogly Garcia and Cam Schuelke then finished the job with 5 more scoreless innings of relief.
The Howlers also found a way to close strong in a 6-4 win over the Shorebirds. Dauri Fernandez led the offense with a 3-5 night and a huge three-RBI double in the bottom of the eighth. Cannon Peebles went 1-3 with two walks and an RBI single in that same inning, and Riley Nelson added a 1-2 line with two walks and an RBI double in an injury-riddled season that may finally be turning a corner.
On the mound, Nelson Keljo delivered one of his better outings of the year. He allowed just one run over 5 innings, striking out 5 while walking 3. His ERA is now 4.84.
In Other News...
This Guardians Trade Idea Feels Like Exactly What Cleveland Needs
With the trade deadline approaching, Cleveland has been linked to the kind of move that would add some real flexibility to a roster still looking for a little more punch. The front office has already signaled that it wants to improve the club, and the fact that the Guardians and Giants have dealt with each other earlier this season only adds another layer to the possibility of another match between two teams that know each other a bit better than most.
What makes this idea stand out is the blend of offense and versatility on the table. The player in question is in the middle of his best season yet, and he has given San Francisco a useful bat while covering multiple spots around the diamond, including second base, third base, shortstop, first base and left field. For a Cleveland team that could use more balance and more options, that sort of profile is exactly the kind of fit that tends to make sense right up until the moment a deadline deal either comes together or slips away. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians May Finally Have One Last Chance To Cash In On Bo Naylor
Bo Naylors path in Cleveland has narrowed in a hurry. The Guardians have cut back his role, brought Patrick Bailey into the picture, and made it harder to see where Naylor fits long term, even as he has kept working in Triple-A with a respectable offensive showing since the demotion.
That has made him a name worth watching as the trade deadline approaches, especially with several clubs already taking a look. Cleveland may have one last window to turn Naylor into value, and Cooper Ingles rising trade appeal only adds another layer to what could become a broader roster shuffle. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians May Have Found Another Internal Pitching Answer
The Guardians player-development machine keeps turning out arms, and the latest name to watch is a right-hander who has moved quickly from the lower levels into the upper minors. Cleveland has long leaned on its ability to grow pitching internally, and this season has only reinforced that reputation as another prospect has put himself on the radar with a strong run in the system.
After climbing from High-A to Double-A and then on to Triple-A Columbus in short order, the pitcher has paired that rise with steady production, including a 2.61 ERA in 15 starts. The bigger question now is how Cleveland chooses to use him next, since a move to the bullpen could give the club another option for the stretch run and potentially help ease pressure before the trade deadline. [Read more 🡒]