Meanwhile Back At the Clip Joint

Cord Phelps

Do you wonder why I didn't write about the Clippers last night?  Well, it was because Russ Canzler didn't have any hits, so there wasn't really any news.  OK, Cord Phelps hit a 3-run homer, Jared Goedert had two hits and an RBI, Charlotte's Conor Jackson hit 3 home runs and the Clips blew it in the 10th thanks to a walk, a hit batter and a wild pitch by Frank Herrmann.  Now you're all caught up.  Back to Canzler.  Russ (.275) chalked up two more hits, including a 2-run jack.  Over his last 10 games, he's batting .389 with 5 homers, 10 RBI and a 1.326 OPS.  So....  Call him up, Idionetti!  I personally guarantee everyone who reads this that he will not bat any worse than .141 with a .422 OPS over a 7 week stretch.  Why those numbers?  That's what Shelley Duncan has posted since May 1st.  C'mon, man!

Phelps (.272) added two more hits for 2 more RBI and Gregorio Petit (.222) doubled twice, but the pitching staff got knocked around pretty good.  Actually, it was really just the starter.  Who is Chris Schwinden (4-6, 3.38) and why did the Indians sign him?  Schwinden was rocked for 7 runs (6 earned) on 9 hits over 4 frames tonight.  Chris has made it out of the 5th inning just once since joining Columbus, while compiling a 5.87 ERA and surrendering 4 long balls in 15 innings pitched.  Matt Langwell (1.93) looked good over 3 scoreless innings, Eric Berger (4.08) extended his own scoreless streak out of the bullpen to 9 innings and Dan Wheeler... I don't write about Dan Wheeler.


Also, say goodbye to Hector Ambriz and Beau Mills.  Ambriz, who pitched 48 innings of relief for the 2010 squad after being selected from the Diamonbacks in the rule 5 draft, was released from AAA to open a roster spot for the returning Scott Barnes.  The Astros signed Hector yesterday.  Mills, the 13th overall pick in 2007, stumbled through 2 middling seasons at AA in 2009 and 2010 before reasserting himself as a prospect last season.  However, Beau was batting just .197 in 2012 and only .156 since April before landing on the DL with what was most likely a phantom injury.  He has been traded to the Reds for a player to be named later.  I have no particular animosity against either player, but I am excited to see the organization dropping some dead weight to open spots for younger talent.

Oh, the Clips are home now, taking on Ryne Sandberg and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.  First pitch tomorrow is at 7:05p and, if you put a gun to my head, I would say it's Zach McAllister (5-2, 2.98) on the bump.

Other Minor Points of Interest --

Akron

Congrats to Jeremie Tice, who made his AA debut tonight with an RBI single in 3 trips.  Tice is fresh off of a Carolina League All-Star appearance and posted a .580 slugging percentage in the first half.  In an organization desperate for any kind of power, Tice is the latest and greatest white hope.

Speaking of monthly flavors, with RA Dickey making Major League hitters look plain silly, the most significant player in the Indians' system may just be Steven Wright.  Wright (6-4, 1.99) and his knuckleball picked up the win tonight in one of his least impressive outings of the season.  That being said, Steven allowed 3 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks over 6 and 2/3 while striking out 7. 

Lake County

Out of the gate in the second half, Luigi Rodriguez moved from first to third in the batting order and responded with 4 hits, including his 5th home run.  L-Rod has mashed 3 of those 5 dongs in his last 6 games, during which he has recorded 3 multi-hit games and batted an even .300.

Felix Sterling (3-6, 5.63) was back in the rotation after a brief exile to the bullpen.  It seems as if nothing has changed.  Sterling allowed 6 hits and 3 walks over his 4 innings of work, leading to 4 runs (2 earned).  Felix punched out 5, but threw a wild pitch.  He has an 11.86 ERA over his last 6 starts.

Lastly, a hearty congratulations to Jesus Aguilar and Francisco Lindor for being selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game as part of All-Star Weekend in Kansas City.  Let's hope they get to the bigs sooner rather than later.

Cheers.

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.

Clip Joint Works Knights

Jason Donald

It's a little known fact that when Christopher Walken pleaded "I need more cowbell!," he actually meant Russ Canzler.  Well, Chris, I've got your Russ Canzler right here.  Russ (.272) is on an absolute tear over an 8 game hit streak, batting .417 (10-for-24) with 4 home runs and 15 RBI.  10 days ago he had 16 ribbies on the season, since, he's driven in 17.  He's already on the 40-man, so why don't we call him and push Aaron Cunningham down a well?  We could put a lid on top like in that movie, The Ring, and just allow him to embrace his hell-spawned tendencies.  Anyway, Canzler was 2-for-4 with 3 more ribs tonight and he was not alone. 

Jason Donald (.302) hit for the cycle, including a first inning long ball, and drove home four runs.  Here's another guy who could contribute in the bigs.  Donald lost his stroke early in the season, but seems to have found himself recently (7-for-his-last-17, .412) and sports a .264 career MLB average.  Y'know how many of the 12 guys on the Indians' roster have a batting average of at least .264?  Five.  So, yeah, get him up here too.  I'd demote Jose Lopez and his .648 OPS, but woManny likes to keep him around and bat him clean-up.  Ugh.

Jared Goedert (.252) added 3 hits (I'd call him up too), as did Tim Fedroff (.303).  Matt LaPorta (.306), Trevor Crowe (.281) and Gregorio Petit (.214) stroked 2 hits apiece in a 13-2 romp over Charlotte.

Corey Kluber (6-6, 3.54) won his second straight start with 6 and third brilliant innings.  Kluber allowed a run on 3 hits, walked 3 and punched out 9.  Over his last 5 outings, Corey has posted a 1.97 ERA and  a .223 OBA.  Josh Tomlin stepped up tonight, so a promotion is not likely in the immediate future for Kluber, but starting pitching depth is an excellent problem to have, especially if the organization has an inkling to make a trade.

Frank Herrmann (4.02), who would be in the Majors if he had been putting up better numbers (.290 OBA), surrendered two hits in the 9th, but struck out a pair to seal the win.  Despite middling statistics in many areas, Big Frank has fanned 36 in 31.1 frames against just 8 walks.

The Clips go matinee style tomorrow with a 12:15p first pitch.  The magic 8-ball suggests that Chris Seddon (7-4, 3.78) will get the start.

Other Minor Points of Interest --

Akron

Don't look now, but Nick Weglarz (.251) may be showing signs of life.  The Aeros took two from Binghamton today and Wegz cracked three hits: 2 homers and a double.  Nick now has an .854 OPS and just might get a promotion back to Columbus sometime soon.

One guy that I thought would be there already is Chun Chen.  A year ago, Chen was a catcher with some pop (16 homers in 2011).  This season, Chun has shown only gap power (21 2B, 1 HR) and played all but 6 of his games in the field at first base.  These transition have significantly muddied the future of a once highly touted prospect.

Two of Akron's excellent right handed relievers earned saves in the double headed sweep.  Bryce Stowell (0.75) earned his first with a perfect 9th in game 1, while Bryan Price (2.19) chalked up his 4th with 1 and 2/3 perfect frames in the night cap.  Stowell averages 14.33 K/9 and Price holds opponents to a .211 average.

Cheers.

Clip Joint's Got Southern Swagger

Zach McAllister

If you'd care to write the recipe for a win on a sunny Sunday afternoon in northern Georgia you might begin with an excellent outing by your starting pitcher.  Zach McAllister (5-2, 2.98) gave the Clippers six strong innings this afternoon, surrendering 2 runs on 7 hits, a walk and 2 K's.  Outside of a dicey third frame, in which Gwinnett scored both of their runs on a trio of hits, Z-Mac never allowed a runner past second base and retired the last 7 that he faced.  He has held the opposition to a .238 average in 2012.  We need you, Zach.  C'mon, up!

Next you mix in a hot hitting middle of the order guy, in this case, Russ Canzler.  A few days ago, I was putting Russ (.268) down for not living up to his MVP season of 2011.  Since then, he has hit in 5 straight (7-for-16, .438) with 3 homers and 12 RBI.  Prior to the outburst, he had 18 ribbies all year!  Canzler singled in a run and walked twice this afternoon, raising his OPS to .744, after it had been just .686 on the 14th.  Hey, Antonetti, call him up too!

Sprinkle in a couple additional players with nice offensive games.  Cord Phelps (.275) singled, homered, walked, scored twice and drove home 3.  He's hitting .329 in June.  Jason Donald (.292) added 2 hits and 2 runs scored. 

Finish with dominant relief.  Matt Langwell (1.93, 2/3 of an inning), Scott Barnes (3.64, 1 and third) and Chris Ray (1.93, 1 IP) followed McAllister with scoreless relief and never gave the Braves an opportunity to get back into the game.

The Clips move on to Charlotte tomorrow at 7:15p.  I'd wager that TJ McFarland will get the nod.

Other Minor Points of Interest --

Akron

Steven Wright (5-4, 1.79) and his dancing knuckleball took the hill and took the loss despite allowing just 3 hits and fanning 7 over 6 innings.  An error, a walk and two wild pitches contributed to Reading pushing 4 runs (3 earned) over against Wright, while the Aeros mustered just two.  How has Steven managed just a game over .500 with such a dazzling ERA?  The Aeros have scored just 40 runs in his 12 starts (3.3 per) and 10 of those came in one game.  Loek Van Mil (1.29), the 7'1" dude, finished with two scoreless frames.

Lake County

Luigi Rodriguez (.276) is mired in a 3-for-20 slump over his past four games after an 0-for-4 performance today.  Additionally, L-Rod, who is 12-for-17 in stolen base attempts this season, has yet to attempt a steal in June.  Felix Sterling (5.70) threw a perfect inning out of the 'pen after making his first 14 appearances as a starter.  Sterling had been knocked around pretty well since late May, posting a 13.50 ERA and a 2.17 WHIP since the 23rd.

Cheers.

Double Down @ the Clip Joint

Russ Canzler

So them Clippers played a ding-dang double dip against that thar Gwinnett Braves bunch and, y'all guessed it, they done got beat up twice.  Pitching was not the word of the day.  Chris Seddon (7-4, 3.78) took the hill in game 1 and didn't really pitch so badly (9 H, 4 ER, 6 K), heck, he even got credit for a 6 inning complete game, but the offense was non-existent in a 4-zip defeat.  David Huff (3-3, 4.99), however, was an abomination in game two.  Knocked around for 8 earned on 12 hits, David only got through three innings.  Recently, I mentioned that some in the media consider Huff to have trade value and, just yesterday, I noted that he was in a dead heat with Corey Kluber for the second of two rotation spot that are under heavy scrutiny at the big league level.  Yeah, not so much anymore.  After a solid beginning to the season (3-1, 2.88 through the end of May), he has been just awful in June.  Over his last three starts, David is 0-2 with a 10.05 ERA and a .439 OBA.  That's a good way to keep yourself in the minors.

When a team scores 3 runs in 14 innings of baseball, there aren't going to be a lot of offensive stars.  Ezequiel Carrera (.260) had three hits, as did Russ Canzler (.263).  Canzler homered for the second consecutive day, after blasting just 3 prior on the season.  Jared Goedert (.242) was 0-for-7 with 4 K's in the two games and has 2 hits in his last 20 at-bats.  Although I continue to contend that his right hand power would be useful on the North Coast, we won't see it unless he can find some consistency at the dish.

Unless the Clips know something that I don't (doubtful), it'll be Zach McAllister (4-2, 2.98) taking the pill at 7:05p tomorrow when the series continues.

Other Minor Points of Interest --

Akron

Welcome back to Jordan Henry, who made his 2012 debut Friday night.  Henry singled in four trips after spending the first two months of the season in extended Spring Training rehabbing his right knee following off-season surgery.  Rob Bryson (2.40) continued his excellent work out of the bullpen with 2.2 scoreless frames of work.  Bryson has punched out 35 in 30 innings this year, while holding opponents to a .183 average.

Carolina

I'm going to have to disparage Jesus Aguilar more often.  A day after I pointed out his lack of power production, Aguilar (.287) launched a 2-run bomb, his 6th of the season.  After a strong May (.291), Tony Wolters (.227) has regressed again in June, hitting just .172 over his past 8 games and failing to reach in 8 trips in his last 2.

Cheers.

Clip Joint's Slammin'

Corey Kluber

The Clipper ship docked in Gwinnett, Georgia to take on the Braves tonight and it was one heck of a pitcher's duel... except for one pitch.  Jair Jurrjens (a 2011 NL all-star) had shut out Columbus for the first five innings and, despite loading the bases in the sixth, had Russ Canzler down 1-2 with two outs in the frame.  Everything changed when Canzler launched a 2-2 fastball over the centerfield wall for the only runs in a 4-0 victory.

You might have recently read that there is no Major League talent on the Clips squad.  First off, I had better clarify that I was referring to the line-up.  Obviously Zach McAllister has an MLB future and fringe Major Leaguers like David Huff, Chris Ray and Frank Herrmann speckle the pitching staff.  But what about Cord Phelps and Ezequiel Carrera, who both made contributions on the North Coast in 2011?  What about Mr. Salami?  It's very simple.  All three players have fallen off significantly in 2012 and none looks as if he is prepared to make a significant AAA impact, let alone an impact with the Indians, anytime soon.  In his first two seasons in Columbus, Carrera batted .287 with a .720 OPS (not bad for a top of the order hitter) while swiping 46 of 53 bases (87%).  This year?  .254, .650 and 9 of 14 (64%).  How's about Cord Phelps?  In his first two AAA campaigns (153 games, basically one full season), he hit .303 with 45 doubles, 8 triples, 20 homers and 94 RBI, good for an .875 OPS.  2012: .272 & .785.  Oh, and the grand slammer?  Canzler was coming off of back-to-back seasons of a .930+ OPS and an IL MVP award in 2011.  The homer tonight was just his 4th of 2012 and, even rolling that into the numbers, his OPS is still a lowly .693.  Baseball is a tricky game, the most cerebral of all sports.  Phelps and Carrera were never really given a shot to make the big club in the spring and Canzler lost out to Aaron Cunningham despite strong numbers and fan favorite status.  While none of these players have regressed skill-wise, neither have any shown themselves to be mentally strong.  With sports psychiatrists difficult to afford on a AAA salary, yeah, don't expect help anytime soon.

Again, we weren't talking about the pitchers and Corey Kluber (5-6, 3.73) tossed another strong outing this evening.  Yep, that's 7 innings of shutout, 4-hit ball with a walk and 5 K's.  Since a disastrous start against Scranton on May 21 (1.1 IP, 7 ER), Corey is 2-2 with a 2.10 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP.  One has to believe that Kluber has positioned himself in front of Kevin Slowey (3-3, 5.14) and on par with Huff (3-2, 3.74) on the depth chart.  Given the downward spiral of Jeanmar Gomez and Josh Tomlin, the Tribe might need Kluber sooner rather than later.

The Clips play two in Gwinnett tomorrow, resuming a suspended game @ 5:05p with a full game to follow.  Let's go with Chris Seddon (7-3, 3.59) on the bump.

Other Minor Points of Interest --

Akron

The Aeros won 3-2 in 12 innings with two big right-handers helping the cause with strong relief outings.  7'1" Loek van Mil (1.42 ERA), who would become the tallest player in Major League history if he ever makes it, threw 2.1 perfect innings, fanning a pair.  Van Mil, acquired from Minnesota in early May, is a bit old (28 in September) to be pitching at AA, but the numbers are impressive.  As are those of Bryce Stowell (1.93).  Bryce put two men on the 9th, but escaped unscathed.  Stowell has punched out 25 in 14 innings this season.

Carolina

Jesus Aguilar (.288) singled, doubled and scored a run for the Mudcats.  Despite coming into the season as the organization's top power prospect and an .822 OPS, Aguilar has just 5 home runs on the season.

Lake County

The Captains game went 13 innings and didn't finish until almost midnight.  They lost 9-7.  Francisco Lindor (.280), honored as a Midwest League All-Star, went 1-for-2 with a double, RBI, and run scored.  He also walked 6 TIMES!  Elvis Araujo (2-5, 4.45) got the start and was roundly beaten over 4 and a third.  Araujo allowed 6 earned on 7 hits and 2 walks, without recording a single strikeout.  Elvis has a 10.93 ERA over his past 4 starts.  Jack Hannahan played third base through the first 9 innings, going 1-for-5 with an RBI and 3 K's.  Cap'n Jack is 1-for-12 (.083) with 6 punch outs over his first 3 rehab games.  Maybe give him a few more.

Cheers.

Clip Joint Away!

The Clippers finished up the second series in their massive 12 game road swing through New York with a 3-0 win over Buffalo early this afternoon.  TJ McFarland made his AAA debut and survived 4 walks to shut out the Bisons for 5.2 innings.  McFarland, who took a no-no into the 5th, was gone by the time the bats awoke, so it was Frank Herrmann (2-1, 3.76) who earned the victory for his 2 and third perfect innings.  Chris Ray (2.42, 8 SV) closed things out with a clean 9th.

Beau Mills (.208) launched a solo homer (his 7th), but batted just .156 in May.  Matt LaPorta drove home a run and finished May with a .241 average after batting .380 in April.  Matty is hitting just .219 over his past 10 games, but does have 14 homers and 32 RBI on the year.  One would expect LaPorta to get the call to the big club sometime in the next 24 hours as the Tribe is in desperate need of another bat.  I have come to loathe Matt as a person and a player, but even I am on board with his recall at this point.  Jared Goedert (.213) is seemingly no longer an option as he has crashed hard after a torrid start.  Goedert, posting another 0-fer today, has 1 hit in his last 21 at-bats with 7 K's over that span.  Jason Donald (.315) singled, doubled, walked and drove home the third Columbus run.  I'm sure that he appreciates this time in the minors to play every day.

The Clip ship docks in Rochester tomorrow and, if the team is sticking with this 6-man rotation, it will be Corey Kluber (4-4, 4.41) on the bump.

Cheers.

Goedert All At the Clip Joint

Earlier today, I looked up "en fuego" in my Spanish/Enlglish phrasebook and, sure enough, right there was this big picture of Jared Goedert.  To call the 27 year old a prospect at this point might be a bit of a stretch, but he has certainly established himself as an alternative to Matt LaPorta.  Goedert (.333), forced to begin the year at AA due to organizational depth and an injury plagued 2011, has certainly re-opened a lot of eyes this season.  Anyone who thought that the 1.089 OPS that he posted with Akron was that best he could do would be flat out wrong.  Jared went deep for the 4th consecutive game and, after posting 17 RBI in 35 games with the Aeros, has driven home 15 in 7 AAA contests.  Perhaps most impressive is that he has significantly improved his strikeout to walk ratio.  After averaging 1.96 K/BB for the two previous seasons, Goedert has dropped that number to 1.05 in 2012.  As opposed to LaPorta, who has been given ample opportunity to hit big league pitching and failed colossally at every turn, Jared yet to see any MLB time.  A whisper away from a call-up in late 2010 and a strong contender for the third base job coming into the spring of 2011, Goedert has the type of right handed pop that the floundering Indians could sorely use.  Should Travis Hafner land on the disabled list, do not be surprised if it is Jared Goedert, and not Matt LaPorta, who takes the ride north on I-71.

The Clippers took their second straight from the Chiefs in Syracuse on Saturday night, both by identical 9-6 scores.  In addition to Goedert's offensive heroics, Russ Canzler (.283) doubled twice on a 3 hit night and drove home a run.  After a lackluster start, Canzler has batted .421 over his past 10 games and bashed all 3 of his home runs in May, while driving in 10 of his 14.  The aforementioned LaPorta (.322) singled twice and scored both times last night, but might have seriously become a true AAA career player.  Matty is 3rd in AAA in home runs (13) behind just Brad Eldred's mythic season and Cubbies first bagger of the future Anthony Rizzo.  It is not enough to get him back to Cleveland because LaPorta has not advanced at all as a hitter.  While I have no idea whether he is simply incapable of making contact with a slider or if he has just settled into a comfortable rut with the Clippers, Matt is just as likely to look like the chaff as the wheat in any AAA plate appearance.  It's difficult for a player to post a 1.048 OPS and not impress the scouts, but, in true LaPortian fashion, Matty has gotten it done.

Corey Kluber (4-4, 4.41) earned the win, rebounding nicely from a pair of horrendous starts.  In his previous two outings, Kluber had allowed 12 earned on 16 hits, including 3 home runs, in just 5 innings (21.60 ERA).  Last night, Corey returned to form, allowing just 2 earned on 6 hits in 6 and two thirds innings pitched.  He walked just one and fanned six.  Dan Wheeler (4.76) continued an inconsistent sequence with the Clippers, throwing well this time.  Danny threw an inning and third scoreless allowing 2 hits and striking out one.  Cody Allen (3.95) surrendered a 9th inning run, but do not discount him as a Major League relief option deeper into the season.

I'm flying blind here, but let's go ahead and pencil in Zach McAllister (3-1, 2.83) on his 5th day.  The last game in New York is scheduled for a 6:30p first pitch.

Other Minor Points of Interest --

Akron
All three of the right handed relief prospects pitched, to differing levels of success.  Throwing for just the second time since returning from the disabled list, Bryce Stowell (1.00) allowed his first run of the season in the 7th, but did punch out a pair.  Stowell has struck out 19 in 9 frames this season against zero free passes and will be in line for a promotion should he remain healthy.  Rob Bryson (2.74) also allowed a run, thanks to a pair of 8th inning walks.  Control has been Bryson's issue this season.  Despite allowing just 17 hits in 23 innings, he has also walked 16, nearly doubling his WHIP.  On the plus side, Rob has fanned 26.  Only Bryan Price (2.84) escaped unscathed, hurling a clean 9th.  Price has notched 27 strikeouts in 25.1 innings this year while holding the opposition to a .220 average.

Carolina
Tony Wolters (.224) seems to have finally acclimated to High-A pitching.  Wolters, who scorched 3 hits tonight, is batting .467 (14-for-30) over a 7-game hit streak that has also included his first 4 stolen bases of the season.  After batting .130 in April, Tony is hitting .301 in May.

Lake County
Francisco Lindor (.291) has hit the skids and I do mean hard.  Lindor tallied another 0-fer tonight and is hitting a lowly .080 (2-for-25) over his last 6.  Alex Lavisky, on the other hand, is red hot.  After struggling for most of the season, Lavisky has come alive over the past 10 days, hitting .429 (9-for-21).  Today, he stroked 3 hits, including an 8th inning home run, and drove home all four of the Captains runs.

Cheers.

A Little Home Cookin' At the Clip Joint

Ezequiel Carrera

A day after posting just a single run against Syracuse, the Columbus offense came alive, serving up an offensive smorgasbord.  Since it was a home game, Matt LaPorta (.328), of course, hit a home run.  Ezequiel Carrera (.254) launched his first of the year and drove home four.  Jason Donald (.500) added 2 hits and 2 walks, despite an error and Russ Canzler (.259) had 3 hits and an RBI of his own.  All of this against John Lannan.  Remember his shocking demotion at the tail end of Spring Training?  Lannan (3-4, 5.80) allowed six earned on 11 hits and 4 walks over six innings and has struggled to dial in mentally at the AAA level.

The Clips pitching was much, much better.  Chris Seddon (4-2, 4.23) earned the win with 6 and a third of 2 run ball.  If you have ever seen Seddon you would agree that he looks about as unlike a ballplayer as one might, but the kid keeps getting the job done.  Tonight included 5 hits, 2 walks and 7 K's.  On the season, Seddon has punched out 41 in 44.2 innings.

The bullpen was once again effective with efforts from Cody Allen and Frank Herrmann.  Allen (3.60) pitched 1 and 2/3 perfectly, fanning a pair.  Allen has acclimated well to AAA after dominating the lower levels earlier in the season.  He has whiffed 29 in 21.2 overall against just 2 free passes.  Herrmann (3.50) put the first two men on the ninth before striking out the side to close the game.

It's another 6:35p affair with Syracuse tomorrow.  I'm not quite sure who's going to pitch; the rotation is all screwed up.  Best guess: David Huff.


Other Minor Points Of Interest --

Akron
The Aeros lost a squeaker this afternoon, 2-1 in Erie.  Akron had 5 hits.  Jared Goedert (.395) had 3 of them, including a triple, and scored the team's only run.  Goedert was brought home on a Thomas Neal (.260) single with two outs in the 9th.

Both Rob Bryson and Bryan Price pitched out of the 'pen, though neither fared particularly well.  Bryson (2.70) loaded the bases in the 5th on 2 walks and a single before escaping.  Price (2.82) served up a gopher ball to the first man he faced in the 8th.

Carolina
Another strong evening from 1B Jesus Aguilar (.312), who singled three times and drove home a run.  A double apiece for Jake Lowery (.262) and Tony Wolters (.186).

Lake County
Another day, another 2 hits for Francisco Lindor (.322).  Tonight, it was a single and a double, along with an RBI.  A single/double pairing for Luigi Rodriguez (.289) as well, in addition to a walk and a run scored.  After a 1-for-24 start to May, L-Rod is batting .321 over his past 7 games.  Alex Lavisky's struggles continue.  Despite 2 hits tonight, Lavisky (.237) still has more strike outs (34) than hits (28).  Perhaps the bigger problem, Alex, pegged as a big bopper, has socked just 2 home runs in 2012, while posting a .659 OPS.

Cheers.

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.

Clip Joint On the Road (Island)

Matt LaPorta

The Clippers avoided a sweep at the hands of the PawSox by salvaging game 4 this afternoon.  Eric Berger (1-1, 2.25), who has taken Zach McAllister's spot in the Columbus rotation, produced his second straight strong start at AAA.  Though the 26 year old right hander had compiled a 7.84 in 16 career games at Columbus coming into the season, he has been just delightful thus far in 2012.  This afternoon he tossed six innings of 5 hit 2 run (1 earned) ball with a walk and 4 K's to pick up his first win of the year at any level.  Scott Barnes (4.98), still transitioning to the bullpen, followed Berger and allowed a run in 2 innings to drop his relief ERA to 4.76.  Chris Ray (2.08) closed, pitched a perfect 9th, struck out 2 and notched his 6th save.

Matt LaPorta (.333) provided the offensive firepower by launching his first road homer of the season as part of a 5 run 6th inning.  The long ball, Matty's 10th overall, came after back-to-back errors by Pedro Ciriaco and Nate Spears leading to all 5 runs being tallied as unearned.  Gregorio Petit (.212) doubled to begin the frame, one of his two hits on the afternoon.

Former Indian Justin Germano (4-2) took the loss despite lowering his ERA to 1.99.

The Clips return home tomorrow to take on the Bryce Harper-less (I feel a bit cheated) Syracuse Chiefs at 6:35p.  Corey Kluber is scheduled to start.

Other Minor Points of Interest --

Akron
Giovanni Soto (3-2, 4.46) got the start and the loss for the Aeros in Erie.  Soto has had a feast or famine season with 3 excellent outings and 3 of the craptastic variety.  Tonight was one of the latter as he failed to make it out of the 5th inning, putting 12 men on base and surrendering 4 earned runs.

Lake County
Francisco Lindor (.312) continued to set the Midwest League on fire, jerking his 4th home run and driving in 5 tonight against the Great Lakes Loons.  Lindor is batting .349 with 10 RBI, 3 steals and a .992 OPS over his past 10 games.  While he's not putting up numbers quite as extravagant as Francisco's, Luigi Rodriguez (.283) is certainly filling up the box score.  Tonight's line is an excellent example: 1-for-2, 2 BB, R, RBI.  Despite hitting just .159 in May, L-Rod still leads the Captains with 24 runs scored, ties for first with 3 triples and places second in both total and stolen bases.


Cheers.

It's the Clip Joint After All

Cody Allen

The Clips are off in Rochester, New York taking on the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.  How can a team with a slash and a hyphen in its name being hosting opponents not only in a different city, but a different state?  As with most things, we can blame the Yankees.  The Bronx Bombers are remodeling PNC Field for their AAA franchise.  Set to open in 2013, the $43.3mil renovations will be ostentatious enough for even the redest-head stepson of the Evil Empire.  Thus, SWB will pretty much be barnstorm this year, playing most of their home games at the Red Wings park with other taking place in Batavia, NY; Buffalo, NY; Syracuse, NY; Allentown, PA and Pawtucket, RI.  Wowza. 

On the field, Columbus (17-16) ran through the buzz saw of the Yanks top two pitching prospects (Dellin Betances and Manny Banuelos) earlier in the week before blowing a 3-1 lead in the 8th and losing in the 10th tonight.  It was straight up waste of a strong start from Corey Kluber (3-2, 2.58) who tossed six innings of 1 run ball.  Cody Allen (3.86) suffered the blown save and some growing pains after surrendering a two run bomb to former A's stud Jack Cust.  Then, in his second inning of work, Jeremy Accardo (0-2, 2.76) gave up a lead off double in the 10th and got all the way to two outs before allowing the walk-off winner.

At the plate, Jose Lopez (.579, no, really) has taken the IL by storm.  With 3 hits (+ an RBI) Thursday night, Lopez has posted three 3+ hit games in his first 5 AAA games of the season.  Jose hit .400 with 9 home runs in 32 PCL games last year.  Chad Huffman (.292) also had 3 hits, including a double, and drove home a run himself.  Outside of Lopez, Andy LaRoche (.250) is likely the Clippers hottest hitter.  Two more hits (both doubles) against the Yanks raised Andy's May average to .355.  Matt LaPorta (.336) is headed in the other direction.  Matty is just 4-for-21 (.190) on the road trip with one measly RBI.  On the season, he's batting .397 with all 9 of his long balls and 20 of his 21 RBI at home, compared to .255 on the road.

Also of note is that Scott Barnes has been moved to the bullpen.  While relief is a less glamorous role, the organization is still very high on Scottie.  Don't tell anyone, but the word on the street is that the upper brass has no faith in Tony Sipp's effectiveness or Rafael Perez's health.  Therefore, given the Tribe's early success, they felt it prudent to get Barnes acclimated to a short role that me might have to fill at the big league level later in the season.  After a very shaky relief debut, Scott struck out the side in his only inning on Tuesday.

The Clip show moves on to Pawtucket tomorrow with Chris Seddon (3-1, 4.18) taking the hill.

Other Minor Points of Interest --

Akron
Jared Goedert singled home a run for the Aeros.  On the season, he's hitting .380 with a 1.005 OPS.  Chun Chen (.298) had 3 hits, including a double, but has a .798 OPS thanks to mashing just one home run.  Bryan Price (2.84) bounced back nicely from his roughest outing of the year.  Price took the loss after surrendering 3 earned on May 4th, took a week off and then threw 2 scoreless tonight.

Carolina
The Mudcats dropped a double header to Myrtle Beach, scoring a combined 2 runs.  Despite going 0-for-6 in the set, Tony Wolters (.168) is batting .269 in May after a .130 April

Lake County
Alex Lavisky (.232) cracked a solo homer to account for the Captains only run, but is batting just .190 in May with 8 strikeouts in 21 AB's.

Roll Tribe.

Cheers.

Tall Drink At the Clip Joint

Before we get into the Clippers on-field performance, let's recognize the acquisition of 7'1" Loek Van Mil, who has the opportunity to become the tallest pitcher in Major League history.  They acquired the the 27 year old Dutchman yesterday from the Angels for "future considerations."  A right-handed pitcher, Ludovicus Jacobus Maria Van Mil owns an 11-15 record with a 3.29 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 4.5 BB/9 and 6.6 K/9 over seven minor league seasons.

Also, this one to be filed under "nobody gives a damn," Ryan Spilborghs was shipped to the Texas Rangers for "future considerations."  Maybe the Rangers could just give the Angels some considerations and the Tribe could just be done with it...

Between the foul lines, the Clip Show dropped their game in Toledo 2-1, scratching out just 2 measly hits.  Beau Mills (.277) had one of those and the lone Columbus RBI.   The offensive anemia wasted another strong start from Corey Kluber (3-2, 2.78).  Although he did allow 2 earned on 4 hits and 4 walk over 5 and a third, Kluber also fanned ten.  Hector Ambriz (2.70) finished it out with 2.2 perfect innings, punching out 4.

The Clippers and Mud Hens tango again today at 2p.  Chris Seddon (2-1, 4.78), chosen above Scott Barnes to remain in the rotation, gets the start.

Also of note, the Indians have announced that Zach McAllister (3-1, 2.83) will start one end of Monday's double dip against the White Sox.  Thanks to a new rule in the collective bargaining agreement, the Tribe will not be required to make a corresponding roster move.  MLB teams are now allowed to recall a 26th man for use in a double-header.  The roster must be returned to 25 men following the conclusion of game 2.

One Other Minor Point of Interest -

Akron
Outfielder Thomas Neal (.275), the return on the 2011 Orlando Cabrera trade, had himself quite a night.  Neal cracked 3 hits (including a double), walked, scored 2 runs and drove home a pair.

Cheers.

Gettin Sloppy At the Clip Joint

Ezequiel Carrera

The Clippers 12-8 win tonight over the G-Braves featured 4 Gwinnett errors and 3 wild pitches, but the Clips (12-11) still almost gave this one away.  Starter Kevin Slowey (2-2, 5.68) allowed 6 earned in his 5 and 2/3, including 3 long balls.  Scott Barnes (5.60), making his first appearance since April 18th, was unable to close out the last two innings of a six run lead after walking 3 and allowing a pair of runs in his inning and 2/3.  Chris Ray was forced to enter with the bases loaded in the 9th to assure the victory.

The 12 runs came in odd fashion, even disregarding the miscues.  Matt LaPorta (.371), who came in 15-for-27 (.556) with 5 homers and 13 RBI (1.847 OPS) over his last 8 games, went hitless.  The two through four hitters went a combined 1-for-14 on a night when 18 men reached base.  It was left to Gregorio Petit (.212) to lead the O, as he came through with 3 hits, 3 runs scored and 2 RBI.  Chad Huffman (.300) and Ezequiel Carrera (.262) added 2 hits and 2 RBI apiece.  Since the end of his 14 game hit streak, Cord Phelps (.268) is batting just .154 (.515 OPS).

The Clippers finish up with Gwinnett tomorrow at 7:05.  My guess is that Corey Kluber (3-1, 2.67) will be the starter.

Other Minor Points of Interest -

Akron
Jared Goedert (.390) had a hit and an RBI and is sporting a 1.048 OPS.  Chun Chen (.303) is maintaing a solid batting average despite an 0-fer on Thursday.  The troublesome number is the zero in the home run column.  Chun bashed 16 home runs for Akron in 2011.  Nick Weglarz (.210) laced a single, but the big Canuck has just a .610 OPS on the season.  Rob Bryson (2.70) pitched 2 scoreless innings, fanning a pair.  He now has 17 K's in 13 IP and is holding the opposition to a .220 average.

Carolina
Jesus Aguilar (.333) homered twice and drove home all 3 Mudcats runs in their victory over Lynchburg.  The big first baseman has posted a .986 OPS.  Tony Wolters (.156) had a hit last night and has found some minimal success, but his K/H ratio is still 21/12 and his OPS sits at a lowly .435.

Lake County
Elvis Araujo (2.61) showed up with another strong start.  Although he did not figure in the decision, Elvis scattered six hits over 5 and 2/3, limiting the Dayton Dragons to 2 runs.  Despite an 0-4 record, Araujo has punches out 27 in 31 innings while walking just 8.

Cheers.

Clip Joint Gem

Zach McAllister

Yeah, midterms are a killer, so let's catch up with the Clippers.  After losing both of a two game set to Toledo on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Clips responded with a 4-1 win over Pawtucket last night.  Zach McAllister (2-1, 3.00) was dominant over 7 innings, allowing just one earned (a solo homer) on three base hits.  He retired the side in order five times, struck out three and did not issue a walk.  I was at the game last night and PawSox were simply not making much good contact.  Just 8 balls left the infield in McAllister's seven innings.  Frank Herrmann (3.86) and Chris Ray (2.38, 4 SV) worked a clean inning apiece to close out the victory.

Matt LaPorta (.371) was the offensive hero with an RBI single and a two-run homer (his 6th, 16 RBI) in the 7th to supply some insurance.  LaPorta, who has always just killed it at Huntington Park, is batting .409 with ALL of his homers and RBI at home.  4 of his five doubles have also come in Columbus, where his OPS is a staggering 1.347.  Matty's Hyde side showed as well when he offered meekly at a 5th inning breaking ball that dove low and away.  I'll note this again, for the sake of emphasis, Matt LaPorta can not hit a curveball... or a slider.  If any of y'all would care to start sacrificing live chickens, get on it.

Russ Canzler (.250), Beau Mills (.310) and Luke Carlin (.458) all also had two hits.  Carlin, who also had the other Columbus ribee yesterday, is 6-for-10 with 4 RBI and 3 walks since coming off of the disabled list.  Trevor Crowe (.345) is headed in the opposite direction.  After a red hot start that has his average sitting at .404, the former first rounder is just one for his last eleven.

David Huff (0-1, 9.00) made his first AAA start of 2012 during the Wednesday matinee and was roundly beaten by the Mud Hens.  He allowed 5 runs (4 earned) on 7 hits in his 4 innings and never seemed to settle in.  Brad Eldred said goodbye to the IL by mashing his minor league best 13th home run (35 RBI) on a ball that bounced off the facing of the Hall of Fame bar in left field, round about the 437 sign.  Nick Hagadone bid adieu as well, with two more scoreless innings.  Nick was not scored on in 7.1 innings, allowing just 4 hits and a walk, fanning 7.

Chris Seddon's Tuesday start was even worse.  A 3rd inning Lonnie Chisenhall error opened the door for six unearned runs as part of the 10 that Seddon allowed overall.  He surrenedered 4 gopher balls (2 of Eldred's 3) among his ten hits in just 3 and 2/3 innings.  One would assume, that with Huff now in the mix, this was Chris' last start.

If they can fight through the rain drops, it's Clippers/PawSox again at 7:05p tonight with Kevin Slowey (1-2, 4.50) on the mound.

Cheers.

Understudy Night At the Clip Joint

Francisco Lindor

With Nick Hagadone optioned back to Columbus (he has three days to report), the Clippers figured that they might as well get some use out of the guy who took his place on the roster.  As such, Toru Murata (0-1, 6.75) made his AAA debut tonight in a spot start.  Murata needed 80 pitches (51 strikes) to make it through 4 innings, allowing 3 earned on 5 hits, a walk and 4 K's.  First to relieve Toru was Kyle Landis (6.00), also making his AAA debut.  Landis was added to the active roster earlier in the day when CC Lee (2-0, 2.57) was placed on the disabled list with right forearm tightness.  Landis allowed a two run bomb to Brad Eldred, but pitched well otherwise, including 24 of 35 pitches for strikes.  Many are surprised that Landis was promoted rather than Bryce Stowell, who is regarded as a better prospect and already has AAA experience.  Thus, there is some expectation that Landis will be headed straight back to Akron tomorrow, in favor of the big right hander.  We shall see.

Oh, and if you thought Sunday was a poor offensive showing for the Clips, it's got nothing on Monday.  The team mustered just 3 hits and struck out 11 times.  C-Town was only able to stay in the game thanks to the 8 free passes issued by Toledo pitching.

Now this AAA pitching rotation thing gets real confusing.  My best guess is that Scott Barnes (0-2, 5.06) will take the hill tomorrow at 6:35p when the Clippers play their first home game in nearly 2 weeks.

Other Minor Points of Interest -

Akron
After compiling just 4 hits in his first 27 at-bats this season, Nick Weglarz (.211) is 4-for-8 with 3 extra base hits and 5 walks since returning from 5 off days.  While I was sminking, Wegz began the season 0-for-14 with 8 K's.  Since then, he's batting .333 with 6 RBI.  The Aeros' bullpen continued to shine tonight with Bryan Price (1.74) and Cody Allen (0.82) each pitching 2 scoreless innings.  Price punched out 4 and is holding opponents to a .143 clip while averaging 12.2 K/9.  Allen was perfect and whiffed a pair.  Across two levels, Cody's OBA has been .083 and his K/BB ratio is 16/0 over 11 innings.

Carolina
Let's raise a cheer for Tony Wolters (.127), who banged out his first multi hit game of the season and scored a run.  Jake Lowery (.345) also cracked two hits, driving home a pair of runs.

Lake County
Led by home run #1 of 2012 from both Luigi Rodriguez (.314) and Francisco Lindor (.273), the Captains won for just the second time in 14 games.  Rodriguez finished a double short of the cycle, while scoring 2 runs and driving in 3.  Each player also swiped his 6th bag of the season in the game.

Cheers.

No More Streaking At the Clip Joint

Beau Mills

Here we go again... Ninth inning, two out, 8-3 Mud Hens?  What the H is going on?  Oh, wait, that's Cord Phelps (.329) at the dish... popping out to short.  Hitting streak over at 14.  Not a lot a yo-ho-ho's to bandy about the Clipper ship tonight.  Beau Mills (.280) singled in one run and doubled in another.  Corey Kluber (3-1, 3.43) got knocked pretty good over 5 innings (8 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 4 K) and the bullpen fared no better.  Hector Ambriz (1.93) took the worst of it, walking 3 over his 2/3 of an inning, but Jeremy Accardo got tagged as well, allowing a run on a hit and a walk in 2 and a third.

Reinforcements are on the way though.  David Huff, fresh off of a successful rehab start with Akron (4 IP, H, BB, 3 K) has been officially activated and optioned to AAA.  He should join the team tomorrow and will get his first start sometime this week.

In case you haven't noticed yet, the anticipation got the best of me.  The Clippers don't come home until Tuesday.  They finish out in Toledo tomorrow at 6:30p with Scottie Barnes (0-2, 5.06) getting the call.

Other Minor Points of Interest -

Lake County
The offensive doldrums continue for a team that has now lost 12 of 13.  Luigi Rodriguez (.292) is 1 for his last 17.  Francisco Lindor (.278) is 5 for his last 29 (.172).  Elvis Araujo (2.25), however, turned in his best start of the season.  Over five shutout innings, Araujo surrendered 5 hits and 3 walks while fanning 4.

Also...

Stop the presses!  Bryce Harper hit his first AAA home run!  His OPS is still just 675.

Cheers.

Big Sticks At the Clip Joint

Russ Canzler

With a share of first place in the IL West on the line, the Clippers pulled into Toledo and pounded the Mud Hens for 19 base knocks.  The hit parade started with Russ Canzler (.246), who entered the game batting .177 with a whole 9 hits on the season.  Canzler went 5-for-6 with 4 singles and a triple and scored twice.  Cord Phelps (.343) tripled in two runs to extend his hitting streak to 14 games.  In four of the last 8 of those games (including last night) Phelps has gone 1-for-5.  Hey, they still count, but the kid is running out of skin on his teeth.  Luke Carlin (.444) returned from the DL with a vengeance, rapping 3 hits and driving home 3 runs.  After an 0-for-3 start, Trevor Crowe (.404)singled in each of his last two AB's (2 RBI) to keep his International League best average above .400.  Hell, even Ryan Spilborghs (.267) had 3 hits.  In fact, Spilborghs is 6-for-11 (.545) over his last 3 games.

Although the Clips allowed 6 runs to the Mud Hens, starter Zach McAllister (1-1, 3.52) pitched effectively if unevenly.  Zach lasted just the first five innings because he threw 100 pitches (60 strikes), but walked just 3 on all of those balls.  McAllister also fanned 8 and surrender just 2 runs (one earned) on 3 hits.  It was the bullpen that got beat up a bit as Frank Herrmann (5.19) got dinged for 3 earned in a buck and 2/3 and Chris Ray (3.42) gave one up in the 9th.

The Clippers battle the Hens again today before coming home tomorrow.  Corey Kluber (3-0, 2.81) gets the start and the game starts right... about... ... ...now!

Other Minor Points of Interest -

Akron
Jared Goedert is making it very difficult for the Indians to keep him at AA for much longer.  With two more hits and two more walks yesterday, Goedert (.429) has his OPS up to 1.117.  He's hitting .500 over his last 10 and .556 (15-for-27) over his last 8.  Nick Weglarz (.171) missed five days and must have spent them finding his stroke.  In two game back, Wegz has gone 2-for-5 with a double, a homer, 4 RBI and 3 walks.  All of those more than doubled his season output.  Chun Chen (.313) added 2 more hits and an RBI, his first of the season.  Chun is 10-for-18 (.556) over his last five.  Giovanni Soto (2-0, 5.02) pitched well enough to win (5.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 6 K) in a game that was stopped in the 7th thanks to torrential downpour.

Carolina
We'll start with the positives for a change.  Jesus Aguilar (.353) doubled twice and drove in two runs.  Jake Lowery (.327) singled, doubled and walked.  I guess the news on Tony Wolters (.102) is even positive as the young shortstop doubled in a run.  Wolters has just 6 hits on the season.

Lake County
Slumps, ouch.  Luigi Rodriguez (.290) is hitless in last 14 AB's and Francisco Lindor (.279) is batting just .160 (4-for-25) over his last 6 games.  Alex Lavisky is doing a bit better, hitting .353 over his last 4.  Felix Sterling started yesterday and lasted just four innings.  The 3 hits allowed & 5 K's are good, the 3 walks and 2 earned are not. 

Cheers.

Clip Joint's Got Some Huevos

The Chiz Kid

That's Spanish for eggs, specifically goose eggs, which is what Indianapolis put up in each of the nine innings this afternoon.  Chris Seddon (2-0, 3.45) threw six beautiful innings (6 H, 5 K) and the bullpen was outstanding once again.  Hector Ambriz (1.04) went 2 innings of 2 hit ball, fanning 3 and Jeremy Accardo (1.35) brought it home in the 9th (H, K).  The relief corps has certainly been the Clippers (9-6) greatest asset thus far, pitching to a 2.60 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP. 

The offense did more than enough with Ezequiel Carrera (.267) and Lonnie Chisenhall (.344) leading the way with three hits apiece.  Carrera fell a homer short of the cycle, while the Chiz Kid's day included a double and an RBI.  Cord Phelps (.354) extended his hitting streak to 13 games with an RBI double, his MiLB best 9th, in the 3rd inning. 

Right handed pitcher Toru Murata was promoted from Akron to take Nick Hagadone's spot on the roster.  He will likely return to AA when Asdrubal Cabrera is reactivated from the bereavement list.

The Clips finish up in Indy with a 7:15p tilt on Friday.  The rotation turns over with #1 Zach McAllister (0-1, 4.00) taking the pill.

Other Minor Points of Interest...

Akron
The Aeros were off today, but knuckleballer Steven Wright (2-1, 1.56) pitched another gem on Wednesday.  The knuckler was dancing as Wright scattered 4 hits and 4 walks while fanning 7 and allowing just one run.  His OBA is .155 in 2012, quite an improvement from the .284 he posted across four levels last season.  Even including the bases on balls, his WHIP is a solid 1.10 (down from 1.61) and he has not allowed a home run after 18 in 2011.

Carolina
The ballad of Tony Wolters (.100) continued with another o-fer, tonight over 5 AB's and including 2 punch outs.  Tony has gone down on strikes in 17 of his first 50 high A at-bats and has posted a nightmarish .287 OPS.  Jesus Aguilar (.341) also took the collar, but Jake Lowery (.333) had two hits, including a double.


Cheers.

P.s.  Another scoreless inning for our good buddy Tyler Tufts (1.17) last night.

Clip Joint Matinee

Cord Phelps

After waiting until his 5th and final at-bat on Tuesday to extend his his hitting streak, Cord Phelps (.355) took care of business early and often this afternoon.  Phelps reached in each of first four plate appearances via two singles and two doubles.  Though the Clippers came up a run short to Indianapolis, the team doubled seven times in total.  Ryan Spilborghs (.211) was among those with a two bagger as he produced his first two hit game of the season and drove in a run as well.  Though Trevor Crowe (.421) did not get the start, he did supply a pinch single and is playing with a vengeance heretofore unseen in his professional career.  Lonnie Chisenhall (.322), on the other hand, has hit the skids.  The Chiz Kid is hitless in his past 11 AB's.

Scott Barnes (0-2, 5.06) took the loss after allowing all 4 of the Indians runs in five innings of work.  Barnes surrendered 7 hits and a walk, fanning 4.  Barnes has been uneven all season.  Despite a .214 OBA and 17 punch outs in 16 innings, he has given up runs in bunches (3 in the 5th today), leading to his winless line.  Frank Herrmann (2.57) pitched the last of 3 more scoreless innings by the 'pen.

Tommorow is another businessman's special at Indy.  If the rotation holds, the start will go to Chris Seddon (1-0, 5.59).

Other Minor Points of Interest...

Carolina
The Mudcats only got one run in their afternoon affair, but that was enough to eek out the victory.  The RBI came off of the bat of slugger Jesus Aguilar (.375), who also had 2 hits.

Lake County
Fresh from the end of hit 8 game hitting streak, Luigi Rodriguez (.367) began anew with 3 hits.  Included was a two base hit, as L-Rod also walked and scored a run.  Francisco Lindor (.305) doubled in a run and Alex Lavisky (.273) got off the schneid (To break a scoreless or hitless or winless streak (i.e. a schneid). According to the Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term "schneid" comes to baseball via gin rummy, and in turn comes from German / Yiddish "schneider," one who cuts cloth, i.e., a tailor) with two singles.

Cheers