Minor League Recap - The Clippers are Back!
Columbus kicks off the MiLB season with a W.
One day after the Cleveland Guardians brought home a season opening win, the Columbus Clippers followed suit. Let’s jump into the first Minor League Recap of the 2025 season.
Columbus Clippers - AAA
COL 8 - TOL 5
The Columbus Clippers had a fantastic game against the Detroit Tigers AAA affiliate, the Toledo Mud Hens.
- Doug Nikhazy had a strong 5.0 inning outing, allowing two runs on three hits and walking two. Both earned runs were solo shots and not indicative of his pitching performance. In the rain and slipper conditions, the lefty struck out six in his first appearance of 2025.
- Parker Mushinski blew the save, also allowing two runs. He could not get out of the inning before Columbus turned to Bradley Hanner. Hanner closed out the sixth inning and started the seventh. He allowed one run and struck out one, but earned his first win of the year.
- Zak Kent and Nick Mikolajchak pitched the eighth and ninth inning, shutting down the Mud Hens chances at a rally. The two held Toledo to a single hit (Kent).
- Clippers hitters had a fun time tonight. The offense put up twelve hits compared to Toledo’s seven hits.
- The first hit of the Clippers season was a double hit by Juan Brito. Brito finished the night with three hits and three RBI.
- Angel Martínez had two hits and two RBI. His two RBI double at the top of the third contributed to the Mud Hens starter’s early exit.
- The top of the third highlighted all of the strengths of this offense. Dayan Frias and Milan Tolentino both worked walks while the pitcher struggled to control his pitches in the downpour. Will Brennan reached on a fielder’s choice, but a fielding error left the bases loaded. Juan Brito singled to score one. Angel’s double scored two and Kody Huff walked to load the bases again before the side was struck out.
- In the top of the seventh Milan Tolentino kicked things off with a triple to left and scored when Brito his a sac fly. Angel hit another double and notched another run when Will Wilson hit the first homer of the season to left center. Kody Huff doubled and scored off of Petey Halpin’s single to right.
In case you missed Will Wilson’s homerun, I have provided the glorious footage! pic.twitter.com/OTXHYUK5qR
— Columbus Clippers (@CLBClippers) March 28, 2025
- Columbus ended their scoring for the night in the top of the eighth. Dayan Frias doubled to left and scored on Juan Brito’s single to short.
Juan Brito is already making a big splash to start the year and Angel Martínez isn’t exactly staying quiet. Hopefully this run production can be maintained for both young hitters and they can make their mark in Cleveland as soon as they’re needed.
The Clippers face the Mud Hens again today at 4:05 EDT. The game can be watched on MiLB.tv with a subscription. If you have a subscription to the full MLB.tv, you already have MiLB.tv!
The rest of the farm starts play next Friday, April 4th.