Guardians Baseball Insider

Photo credit: David Monseur/Accent Images/Courtesy Akron RubberDucks

Akron secured a 4-2 home series against Richmond to keep their playoff hopes as they now sit four games back of Bowie with 18 games remaining. The solid pitching in the series was led by starters Tanner Bibee, Tanner Burns and Gavin Williams while the bullpen put in a number of good efforts as well. Offensively, Jhonkensy Noel saw one of his best weeks as a RubberDuck while Angel Martinez proved he belongs in Double-A after getting the call-up last week. 

Day-by-Day

8/23/22: Richmond 8, Akron 3; W: Adon; L: Vargas
8/24/22: Akron 5, Richmond 2; W: Burns; L: Teng; S: Daniels
8/25/22: Akron 5, Richmond 2; W: Bibee; L: Winn; S: Hickman
8/26/22: Akron 4, Richmond 2; W: Jones; L: Frisbee; S: Smith
8/27/22: Richmond 8, Akron 4: W: Roupp; L: Lingos
8/28/22: Akron 5, Richmond 2: W: Daniels; L: Peralta; S: Smith

Player of the Week

IF/OF Jhonkensy Noel: .364/.440/.773, 4 2B, 3B, HR, 3 BB, 7 RBI, 2 K

Noel had a huge week offensively collecting eight hits with six of them going for extra bases. He showed an ability to do damage on balls that stayed in the park which is something he has not done much this year. He was also very consistent getting on base at least twice in five of the six games against Richmond.

Who’s Hot

RHP Tanner Bibee: 6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 K

Tanner Bibee appears once again in the “Who’s Hot” section for his performance on Thursday where he led the ‘Ducks to victory while striking out ten. After starting the season in Lake County, he has become Akron’s most dominant starting pitcher in the second half of the 2022 season. 

RHP Tanner Burns: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K

Burns had one of his best starts of the season on Wednesday scattering seven baserunners across 5.2 innings but allowing no runs to get the win. 

IF Angel Martinez: 5-20, 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 3 BB, 6 RBI, 2 K

In his first full series in Double-A, Martinez made the most out of his five hits. He homered in Akron’s wins on Wednesday and Sunday. 

Who’s Not

The Catchers: 2-27, BB, 13 K

After Bryan Lavastida got hot  in the last few series, he had a very tough week going 2-20 with no extra base hits and seven strikeouts. Backup catchers, Angel Lopez and Eric Rodriguez didn’t offer much help as they went a combined 0-7.

LHP Randy Labaut: 3 IP, 3 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 4 K

Labaut’s rough season in Akron continued as he allowed five of six baserunners to score in the ninth inning of Saturday’s loss.

On ‘Duck 

8/30/22: @ Altoona, 6:00 PM

8/31/22: @ Altoona, 6:00 PM

9/1/22: @ Altoona, 6:00 PM

9/2/22: @ Altoona, 6:00 PM

9/3/22: @ Altoona, 6:00 PM

9/4/22: @ Altoona, 1:00 PM