Ballad Of the Clip Joint

The Clippers have dropped 7 of their last 8 games.  The team has compiled a 5-9 record in May despite only being outscored 57-53.  A 2-5 record in 1 run games might have something to do with that.  Last night's loss was by more than one run (5-1), but it was the 8th game in May in which Columbus has scored 3 runs or fewer.  They're 2-6 in those games.

Corey Kluber (3-3, 3.38) surrendered a pair of two run homers en route to allowing 5 earned in 4 and third.  He allowed 9 hits, walked 2 and fanned 6.  This from a guy who came in with a 1.55 ERA in his last 3 starts and 2.59 on the season.  The bullpen, though, was excellent.  The 'pen has been the Clips best weapon all season, posting a 3.11 ERA and yesterday was no exception.  Hector Ambriz (2.86) and Matt Langwell (2.25) combined for 4.2 innings of scoreless relief to keep their team in the game.

Unfortunately, the offense, as it has been so often this season, was absent.  Andy LaRoche (.240) scored on a ground ball after doubling in the 7th and that was it.  Cord Phelps (.276) had two hits and Jason Donald (.333) added a single and a walk in his first AAA game of the season, but the Clips were 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and left 8 on base.

Syracuse again tonight at 6:35p with Chris Seddon (3-2, 4.46) on the bump.

Other Minor Points of Interest --

Akron
Whoa, Jared Goedert!  Single, double, 2 bombs, 3 RBI, 3 runs scored.  Goedert (.383), pictured above, now has 5 home runs and 17 RBI.  His OPS is 1.060.  He's batting .412 with runners in scoring position and .538 over his last 4 games.  Still, every day that he wallows at AA is a more definite assertion by the Indians that he is not in their plans for the future.

Carolina
The Mudcats played 2, but nothing much exciting happened.  Tony Wolters (.184) went 1-for-7, but drove home 2 runs.  Jesus Aguilar (.300) had 2 hits and an RBI.  Jake Lowery (.263) played only game 1, singled, scored and struck out twice.

Lake County
Francisco Lindor (.319) just keeps rolling.  Yesterday included a single, a double, a walk, an RBI and a run scored.  Lindor is 3rd in the MWL in hits (46), 4th in hitting, tied for 4th in total bases (70), 8th in OPS (.854), tied for 8th in runs scored (24) and tied for 9th in stolen bases (11).  Start holding your breath.

Cheers.