The Clip Joint Splits

Luis Valbuena

Where to begin with this grey skied twin bill?  How about the staring pitching?  Sucked.  Jeanmar Gomez (3.47 ERA) got his @$$ handed to him in game 1 (5 IP, 5 H 4 R/ER, 2 BB, 5 K).  In two subpar starts since returning to AAA Gomez has an ERA of 5.91 and a WHIP of 1.41.  No good.  Barring a plague, I do not see Jeanmar returning to the bigs with the Indians.  Scott Barnes (5.97) was better in game 2 (4 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, BB, 4 K), but was yanked before Columbus could take the lead.  Blargh.

The top of the lineup provided the spark on a day where no Clipper managed more than a pair of hits.  Ezequiel Carrera (2-6, 3B, 2 R, 2 BB, .317) and Cord Phelps (2-6, HR, 2B, 3 RBI, R, 2 BB, .300) had nice lines, but the real hero of the game 2 victory was the Pawtucket defense.  The PawSox committed two errors in the Clips five run 6th and added a third play that was a hit only because their center fielder never touched the ball.  It was a sloppy set of games at Huntington.

One interesting item of note - After the game Luis Valbuena made the statement that he was "going to Cleveland on Sunday."  Now, I don't know if Luis was serious, nor do I have insight into when such a player would be informed.  What I can offer is utter confusion.  Why bring up the retread Valbuena when Phelps is tearing the cover off of the ball?  The answer must lay in Valbuena's active status on the 40-man roster.  And, if Luis is to be believed, who's getting the boot from the Tribe's 25-man?  Adam Everett, the bell tolls for you.

Mitch Talbot takes the hill for Columbus tomorrow in his second rehab start.  I shall brave the elements to see the man live.  First pitch is at 6:35p.

Other Minor Points of Interest --

Nick Hagadone seems to be back on track after a couple of rocky outings last week.  Hagadone threw two shutout innings putting just one man on base (walk) and fanning a pair.  Both of his last two appearances have been hitless and he has lowered his OBA back to .183.  The Clippers are still playing one man down and there is a lot of conjecture that now might be the time for Nick to move on up.

The score of that Akron game was 16-6.  Kelvin De La Cruz was responsible for five of those runs in his 4.2 innings and could not get the last out of the fifth to qualify for the win.  Kel-DLC (3.28) was roughed up for six hits and three walks but struck out 8.  The surprise hero at the plate was infielder Kyle Bellows, who homered and drove in six.  Bellows, a 2009 4th round pick, came into the game hitting .185 with 9 RBI.  Jordan Henry (.310) added three hits, including a triple, and scored three times.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the 50-game suspension of Aeros outfielder John Drennen.  Drennen, the #33 overall pick in 2005, tested positive for a fertility drug that he was using to jump start his ovulation.  No word yet as to why he would want to do that. ;-j

Another solid start from Drew Pomeranz for Kinston tonight.  Pom (2.09), who did not factor into the decision, tossed six innings surrendering two runs on 5 hits.  He walked 3 and struck out six.  He continues to do exactly what he needs to in order to jump to AA.

Congrats to Steven Wright, who notched his first pro win since switching to the knuckleball.  In his best outing of the season for Lake County, Wright (1.71) was charged with a hit and three walks over six scoreless frames.  Wright struck out three as well.  His command of the pitch is the main measuring stick for promotion and, judging by tonight's effort, the move should come soon.

LeVon Washington scored his first multi-hit game of the season with two singles for los Capitans.  Washington (.258) also walked, scored twice and knocked in his first run.  LeVon is still just 19, so there's no rush, but it is good to see him put together a line that pops off of the screen.

Cheers.