Big Sticks At the Clip Joint

Russ Canzler

With a share of first place in the IL West on the line, the Clippers pulled into Toledo and pounded the Mud Hens for 19 base knocks.  The hit parade started with Russ Canzler (.246), who entered the game batting .177 with a whole 9 hits on the season.  Canzler went 5-for-6 with 4 singles and a triple and scored twice.  Cord Phelps (.343) tripled in two runs to extend his hitting streak to 14 games.  In four of the last 8 of those games (including last night) Phelps has gone 1-for-5.  Hey, they still count, but the kid is running out of skin on his teeth.  Luke Carlin (.444) returned from the DL with a vengeance, rapping 3 hits and driving home 3 runs.  After an 0-for-3 start, Trevor Crowe (.404)singled in each of his last two AB's (2 RBI) to keep his International League best average above .400.  Hell, even Ryan Spilborghs (.267) had 3 hits.  In fact, Spilborghs is 6-for-11 (.545) over his last 3 games.

Although the Clips allowed 6 runs to the Mud Hens, starter Zach McAllister (1-1, 3.52) pitched effectively if unevenly.  Zach lasted just the first five innings because he threw 100 pitches (60 strikes), but walked just 3 on all of those balls.  McAllister also fanned 8 and surrender just 2 runs (one earned) on 3 hits.  It was the bullpen that got beat up a bit as Frank Herrmann (5.19) got dinged for 3 earned in a buck and 2/3 and Chris Ray (3.42) gave one up in the 9th.

The Clippers battle the Hens again today before coming home tomorrow.  Corey Kluber (3-0, 2.81) gets the start and the game starts right... about... ... ...now!

Other Minor Points of Interest -

Akron
Jared Goedert is making it very difficult for the Indians to keep him at AA for much longer.  With two more hits and two more walks yesterday, Goedert (.429) has his OPS up to 1.117.  He's hitting .500 over his last 10 and .556 (15-for-27) over his last 8.  Nick Weglarz (.171) missed five days and must have spent them finding his stroke.  In two game back, Wegz has gone 2-for-5 with a double, a homer, 4 RBI and 3 walks.  All of those more than doubled his season output.  Chun Chen (.313) added 2 more hits and an RBI, his first of the season.  Chun is 10-for-18 (.556) over his last five.  Giovanni Soto (2-0, 5.02) pitched well enough to win (5.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 6 K) in a game that was stopped in the 7th thanks to torrential downpour.

Carolina
We'll start with the positives for a change.  Jesus Aguilar (.353) doubled twice and drove in two runs.  Jake Lowery (.327) singled, doubled and walked.  I guess the news on Tony Wolters (.102) is even positive as the young shortstop doubled in a run.  Wolters has just 6 hits on the season.

Lake County
Slumps, ouch.  Luigi Rodriguez (.290) is hitless in last 14 AB's and Francisco Lindor (.279) is batting just .160 (4-for-25) over his last 6 games.  Alex Lavisky is doing a bit better, hitting .353 over his last 4.  Felix Sterling started yesterday and lasted just four innings.  The 3 hits allowed & 5 K's are good, the 3 walks and 2 earned are not. 

Cheers.