Clippers claim 11th Governors' Cup
DURHAM, N.C. -- One powerful swing was another example of Bradley Zimmer looking more and more like a big leaguer again.The Indians outfielder -- more than a year removed from shoulder surgery -- hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the sixth inning as Columbus captured its 11th Governors' Cup by
DURHAM, N.C. -- One powerful swing was another example of Bradley Zimmer looking more and more like a big leaguer again.
The Indians outfielder -- more than a year removed from shoulder surgery -- hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the sixth inning as Columbus captured its 11th Governors' Cup by completing a three-game sweep of Durham with a 6-2 victory on Thursday at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
"Big situation, I was ready and I wanted it," Zimmer said. "I got that one."
The Clippers broke a tie with Rochester for the most International League championships and became the second team to win four Governors' Cups in the same decade, denying the two-time defending champion Bulls a chance at that distinction. Columbus last won in 2015.
Zimmer has progressed through three Minor League levels during the past month while rehabbing. His homer came on a full count against reliever Aaron Slegers (0-1) and hit right above the 395-foot marker in straightaway center field. It was his first long ball in seven postseason games.
"That was the old him right there," Clippers manager Tony Mansolino said. "That's the first time we've seen catch up to a fastball like that."
Zimmer had surgery on his right shoulder in July 2018.
Gameday box score
"It has been a long year," he said. "[Winning a title] is fun, no matter what. Hopefully, I can go back up [to the Majors], take this winning momentum up there."
The Clippers had the best record in the IL this season and kept rolling in the playoffs by winning six of seven games. The run came amid significant roster upheaval.
"Good players," Mansolino said. "If you're going to have that many players come in and out, you've got to have good players to do this."
Winning the Cup was the best possible outcome for Columbus shortstop Andrew Velazquez, who began the season with Durham.
"I got one of those [with the Bulls from last year]," he said of a championship ring. "I want one of these."
Columbus starter Mitch Talbot walked the bases loaded in the second inning, but left fielder Ka'ai Tom made a diving catch to rob IL batting champion Jake Cronenworth of a hit to end the threat.
Complete playoff coverage
Tom went 2-for-4 with his third homer in four games and was named playoff MVP.
"You go out every day to do your best and to contribute," he said, noting it's his first postseason individual award.
Talbot, a 35-year-old right-hander who began the season in independent ball, allowed one run despite issuing seven walks and giving up two hits in 4 2/3 innings. He pitched for the Bulls from 2007-09.
Durham grabbed its first lead of the series on Kevin Padlo's two-out RBI single in the third.
After Zimmer's shot, Daniel Johnson led off the seventh with his first playoff homer to stretch the lead to 4-1. Tom cranked an opposite-field two-run blast over the left-field wall later in the inning.
Reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell made another rehab start for the Bulls and retired all six batters he faced, striking out three. He underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow on July 29.
Slegers, whose late-season work helped Durham reach the playoffs, gave up homers on three of the seven hits he allowed over 4 2/3 innings.
"He was our best pitcher down the stretch and he earned the right to be out there," first-year Bulls manager Brady Williams said. "The three-run homers are what did us in this series.They hit them and we didn't."
Jason Coats belted his fourth postseason homer leading off the bottom of the seventh for the Bulls, who stranded 14 runners. They loaded the bases with two outs in the eighth, but Jon Edwards came on and struck out Coats.
Bob Sutton is a contributor to MiLB.com.
Minor League Baseball, Joe Torre Safe At Home partnership enters ninth year
For the ninth year, Minor League Baseball and Joe Torre Safe At Home have teamed up to raise awareness about violence and abuse and to inspire fans of all ages to join them in SAH’s critical work. This year, 63 MiLB teams will participate in an in-ballpark initiative from May
MiLB podcast discusses Anthony, Caglianone at Triple-A
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
These are the greatest Minor League promos happening in June
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
New playoff format coming to 2025 Dominican Summer League
Minor League Baseball announced the 2025 Dominican Summer League (DSL) season will begin June 2 with Opening Day festivities taking place at the Boston Red Sox Academy in Guerra. The 2025 campaign will also see the introduction of the DSL Cup, a new playoff format that will see 16 DSL
Debating best Minor League home caps on podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
The Omaha Storm Chasers' 'Take Meow-t' cat night included a Litter Box Sundae
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Boston's Triple-A affiliate throws birthday bash for Roman Anthony
With all the hype that has surrounded Roman Anthony over the past two seasons, it’s easy to forget how young he really is. MLB's No. 1 prospect played 70 games at the highest level of the Minors before he could order a beer. But he can now. Roman Anthony turned
Friendly foes, 2024 first-rounders Moore and Caglianone trade first Triple-A homers
For years, Christian Moore and Jac Caglianone laced up their cleats against one another in the SEC. A rivalry that spanned Florida, Tennessee and other landmarks across the South moved to Salt Lake City this week as the Royals and Angels' top prospects got simultaneous Triple-A promotions. So it was
Phillies' Moore, Fausnaught join MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Red Sox prospect rips double THROUGH Fenway-esque scoreboard
Red Sox No. 4 prospect Franklin Arias, an infielder for High-A Greenville, REALLY didn’t want to let visiting Asheville score any runs in the top of the eighth inning on Friday night. With runners on first and second base in the bottom of the fourth, Arias showed he apparently held
April's hottest hitting prospects -- one for each organization
The Minor League season is a month old and several of the game's best hitting prospects are off to fast starts. Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony is tearing up Triple-A (just like he did at the end of last year), Padres shortstop Leo De Vries is leading the High-A Midwest
Check out the best -- and wackiest -- Minor League promos happening in May
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Orioles' Honeycutt joins The Show Before the Show
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
MiLB podcast coming LIVE to a Somerset this June
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
New ballparks highlight 2025 MiLB road trip stops
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Minor League Baseball partners with TruGreen
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- TruGreen, the nation's leading lawn care treatment provider, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Minor League Baseball that includes activations across all 120 clubs, a makeover of the home dugout in each market, sponsorship of select MiLB team grounds crews, and a new initiative called
Podcast explains why the Syracuse Mets are looking for Jim Morrison
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Dash im-prom-tu promo and Mets' Suero joins the podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other