Clip Joint Comeback

On a team littered with top prospects (Lonnie Chisenhall, Jason Kipnis) and major league ready talent (Luis Valbuena, Jason Donald), three less heralded guys led the charge tonight.  After Alex White (7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 7 K, 2.00 ERA) spotted Louisville two runs in the fourth, the Clippers tied it up on solo blasts from Chad Huffman (.195) and Luke Carlin (.379).  Carlin's third hit of the night was an RBI double to give Columbus a 3-2 lead in the 8th.  In the ongoing closer experiment, Josh Judy (4.26) blew his second save opportunity and allowed the Bats to equalize again in the 9th.  One more no-name solved that in the bottom half when Jerad Head (.389) laced his third single of the game to bring home the winner in walk-off fashion.

The Clips were in the whole because Louisville started former 22 game winner Dontrelle Willis.  Willis, who has battled anxiety and inconsistency over the past three season, came into the contest having not allowed a run in his first two starts, both wins.  His scoreless streak continued through the first five frames before Huffman's dinger and a walk to Kipnis chased D-Train from the game.  His ERA ballooned to 0.53.  I had the opportunity to meet Dontrelle after the game.  He was friendly, polite and very accommodating to all the fans.  It was a pleasant surprise from a man I had heard to be a bit of a pill.  D-Train is all aces in my book.

Columbus closes out their series with Louisville tomorrow at 6:35p.  Zach McAllister is scheduled to face rehabbing Red Johnny Cueto.  I plan to be there.

Other Minor Points of Interest --

Down at AA, Austin Adams was a tough luck loser for the Aeros.  Adams (2.30) tossed four and two thirds surrendering four hits, 2 walks and an unearned run while striking out 7.  Akron fell to Bowie 3-0.  Jordan Henry was out of the lineup for the second consecutive game.  No word on an injury.

Also, the Aeros sent Brett Brach back to Kinston following Tuesday's impressive spot start.  Left-hander TJ McFarland was added and will make his first start on Thursday.

In Eastlake, the Captains split a double dip with the Lansing Lugnuts.  2010 4th round pick Kyle Blair (3.21) earned his first professional win in the front end.  Blair allowed just a solo home run and four singles over six innings.  He struck out four.  Cole Cook, last year's 5th rounder, pitched just as well in the nightcap, but came up empty.  Cook (3.21), still looking for his first pro W, gave up 3 hits, a walk and a unearned run.  Cole stuck around for five innings and fanned four.

Good stuff comin' as the Myrtle Beach Fighting Tyler Tufts open a four game set at Kinston tomorrow.

Cheers.