Last Game (07.01.12):
Indians 6, Orioles 2
WP: Justin Masterson (5-7, 3.92)
LP: Brian Matusz (5-10, 5.42)

Up Next:
Vs. Angels 07.02.12 7:05p

Friday, June 22, 2012

Meanwhile Back At the Clip Joint

Cord Phelps
Do you wonder why I didn't write about the Clippers last night?  Well, it was because Russ Canzler didn't have any hits, so there wasn't really any news.  OK, Cord Phelps hit a 3-run homer, Jared Goedert had two hits and an RBI, Charlotte's Conor Jackson hit 3 home runs and the Clips blew it in the 10th thanks to a walk, a hit batter and a wild pitch by Frank Herrmann.  Now you're all caught up.  Back to Canzler.  Russ (.275) chalked up two more hits, including a 2-run jack.  Over his last 10 games, he's batting .389 with 5 homers, 10 RBI and a 1.326 OPS.  So....  Call him up, Idionetti!  I personally guarantee everyone who reads this that he will not bat any worse than .141 with a .422 OPS over a 7 week stretch.  Why those numbers?  That's what Shelley Duncan has posted since May 1st.  C'mon, man!

Phelps (.272) added two more hits for 2 more RBI and Gregorio Petit (.222) doubled twice, but the pitching staff got knocked around pretty good.  Actually, it was really just the starter.  Who is Chris Schwinden (4-6, 3.38) and why did the Indians sign him?  Schwinden was rocked for 7 runs (6 earned) on 9 hits over 4 frames tonight.  Chris has made it out of the 5th inning just once since joining Columbus, while compiling a 5.87 ERA and surrendering 4 long balls in 15 innings pitched.  Matt Langwell (1.93) looked good over 3 scoreless innings, Eric Berger (4.08) extended his own scoreless streak out of the bullpen to 9 innings and Dan Wheeler... I don't write about Dan Wheeler.


Also, say goodbye to Hector Ambriz and Beau Mills.  Ambriz, who pitched 48 innings of relief for the 2010 squad after being selected from the Diamonbacks in the rule 5 draft, was released from AAA to open a roster spot for the returning Scott Barnes.  The Astros signed Hector yesterday.  Mills, the 13th overall pick in 2007, stumbled through 2 middling seasons at AA in 2009 and 2010 before reasserting himself as a prospect last season.  However, Beau was batting just .197 in 2012 and only .156 since April before landing on the DL with what was most likely a phantom injury.  He has been traded to the Reds for a player to be named later.  I have no particular animosity against either player, but I am excited to see the organization dropping some dead weight to open spots for younger talent.

Oh, the Clips are home now, taking on Ryne Sandberg and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.  First pitch tomorrow is at 7:05p and, if you put a gun to my head, I would say it's Zach McAllister (5-2, 2.98) on the bump.

Other Minor Points of Interest --

Akron

Congrats to Jeremie Tice, who made his AA debut tonight with an RBI single in 3 trips.  Tice is fresh off of a Carolina League All-Star appearance and posted a .580 slugging percentage in the first half.  In an organization desperate for any kind of power, Tice is the latest and greatest white hope.

Speaking of monthly flavors, with RA Dickey making Major League hitters look plain silly, the most significant player in the Indians' system may just be Steven Wright.  Wright (6-4, 1.99) and his knuckleball picked up the win tonight in one of his least impressive outings of the season.  That being said, Steven allowed 3 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks over 6 and 2/3 while striking out 7. 

Lake County

Out of the gate in the second half, Luigi Rodriguez moved from first to third in the batting order and responded with 4 hits, including his 5th home run.  L-Rod has mashed 3 of those 5 dongs in his last 6 games, during which he has recorded 3 multi-hit games and batted an even .300.

Felix Sterling (3-6, 5.63) was back in the rotation after a brief exile to the bullpen.  It seems as if nothing has changed.  Sterling allowed 6 hits and 3 walks over his 4 innings of work, leading to 4 runs (2 earned).  Felix punched out 5, but threw a wild pitch.  He has an 11.86 ERA over his last 6 starts.

Lastly, a hearty congratulations to Jesus Aguilar and Francisco Lindor for being selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game as part of All-Star Weekend in Kansas City.  Let's hope they get to the bigs sooner rather than later.

Cheers.

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