Clip Joint: Days Of Knights

Jared Goedert

Well, it took 'em 10 innings, but the Clippers once again emerged victorious over the Charlotte Knights, 5-3, their 4th win in their last five games.  For the second straight contest, Columbus posted a 4-hit batter as Tim Fedroff (.378) turned the trick this afternoon.  Timmy has 7 hits in his last 9 AB's after producing just 7 in his first 28 AAA at-bats of 2012.  Fedroff is not considered a prospect, so do not expect him up with the big club at any point, let alone anytime soon.

Jared Goedert smacked three hits, including 2 doubles, and drove home the go-ahead run in the 10th.  Goedert is mad streaky, earning hits in 6 of his last 8 trips after a 3-for-28 (.107) skid.  Jared also homered 7 times in his first 20 AAA games and had gone without in the 11 tilts since.  Still, I want his bat in Cleveland.  Yell with me!   Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Matt LaPorta (.314) stroked 3 hits as well and the Russ Canzler experience continued with a 2-for-5 day, complete with another RBI.  He's hitting .414 (12-for-29) with 4 homers and 16 RBI in his last 8 games.  Russ has a 1.318 OPS over than span.  Jason Donald did fare so well today, taking an 0-for-6 handle.

David Huff (3-3, 4.34) got the start and pitched almost well enough to win.  He held Charlotte scoreless into the 6th and left with the lead.  Dave allowed 7 hits and 2 runs (1 ER) with a walk and a strikeout.  Huff is pitching pretty well (outside of 8 earned in 3 innings last week), but sits third behind Zach McAllister and Corey Kluber in line for a big league starting role.  With the struggles seen by Indians lefties in recent weeks (or months.  Hi, Tony Sipp!), it would be advisable to consider DH for a bullpen spot if he is not, indeed, on the trading block.

One of those struggling lefties, Scott Barnes, blew the save by allowing the Knights to tie the game in the 7th.  Barnes (3.82) walked a pair and threw just 19 of 34 pitches for strikes.  Cody Allen (2.82), on the other hand, was brilliant over an inning and 2/3.  Allen is someone you might see on the lake if a right-handed spot opens in the 'pen.  The same is true of Chris Ray (1-4, 1.80) who earned his first W of 2012 with 2 scoreless frames.  Ray has held opponents to a .229 average and leads the Clippers with 11 saves.

If Chris Seddon (7-4, 3.78) is not being shortened for use in the MLB bullpen, he gets the start tomorrow at 7:15 tomorrow for the series finale.  Otherwise, it will be Chris Schwinden (4-5, 2.70).

Other Minor Points of Interest --


Akron

Playing their second double header in as many days, the Aeros managed just 3 runs and 9 hits total.  Fortunately, that was good enough for a split.  Not much to report except that Loek Van Mil (1.16) and Rob Bryson (2.59) threw some excellent relief in game 2.  Van Mil tossed 2 and a third perfect, fanning a pair while Bryson struck out the side in the 7th, allowing one hit.  OBA's for the pair: .167 and .200 respectively.


Mahoning Valley

Welcome to professional baseball, Tyler Naquin!  I can't say that I'm sold on using the #15 overall pick on an outfielder with no more than "gap" power and little noticeable speed.  Frankly, I think he'll have to hit about .330 to contribute at the big league level.  Still, Naquin went 3-for-4 with a double and a stolen base in his pro debut.  Given the Indians' dearth of back-up outfielders, he can't get to Cleveland soon enough.

Cheers.