Dimes For the Clip Joint

The Tribe could take a lesson from its AAA affiliate.  After their best start in the 30 years, the Clippers dropped both ends of a twi night to Louisville on Tuesday, the second game in heart wrenching (and mildly confusing fashion).  Columbus hiked up their britches, added Grady Sizemore and reversed their fortunes today in Toledo.

The Clippers relied on pitching on Thursday, mustering all of ten hits in 14 innings.  Game 1 can be summed up in a single sentence.  Jeanmar Gomez (1.46 ERA) threw a complete game shutout (7 IP, 8 H, BB, 7 K), Sizemore smacked a third inning homer, and the Clips took a 1-zip win to intermission.

For some reason, minor league managers often use spot starters on double header day.  Thereby, no one really had any idea who would start the second game.  I guessed Alex White.  The PD suggested Corey Kluber.  Columbus skipper Mike Sarbaugh sent Joe Martinez to hill.  Martinez (4.26) was unspectacular in eating 3 innings, holding the fort until Luis Valbuena (.375) tied the game with a two run fourth inning double.  Chad Huffman (.095) broke out of a season long 0-fer with 2 hits and scored three times, while Jordan Brown (.286) walked in all four of his plate appearances and came across twice.  The Clippers iced the game thanks to a sloppy Toledo 7th, securing the win for Carlton Smith.  Smith and Zach Putnam (1.69, 2nd SV) allowed just two base runners over the final four frames.

Columbus plays one more in Toledo before coming home Saturday for the home opener.  If Sarbaugh slides back into his rotation, then White should start tomorrow and Zach McAllister at Huntington.

Other Minor Points of Interest -

I have an odd fascination with the prospects that the Indians acquired from dealing their entire team away over the past 3 seasons.  One of those players is Scott Barnes, the dude that we got from the Giants in the Ryan Garko trade.  Barnes has been rather innocuous in the the year and a half since he joined the organization, but the 23 year old lefty seems to have arrived.  Following a brief but powerful first start (4 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K), Scottie tossed a gem tonight for Akron.  In seven stellar innings Barnes allowed just two hits and struck out 10 without issuing a walk.  The Aeros put up a five spot in the 8th and Scott notched his first win.  You can never have too many lefties.

For anyone who might be wondering, St Ed's product Alex Lavisky is getting steady PT behind the plate for Lake County, but is having a tough go of it so far.  Already 20, Lavisky is just 4-for-28 (.143) and has piled up 12 Ks.  No need to worry, it's a long season.

Don't tell that to Nordonia grad Tyler Tufts, though.  Ty made his third consecutive scoreless appearance for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, fanning a pair.  Over three and a third this season, Tyler has been touched for a paltry two hits and a walk, while striking out 6.  Keep it up, kid.

Cheers.