Clip Joint's Rollin'

Round about the time that Carlos Santana decided to walk it off, I lost track of the Clippers game.  Columbus was trailing 5-3 and, with the exception of a 4th inning homer by Jason Kipnis (.257), the offense was looking pretty sluggish.  After digging the Tribe win for a bit, I checked in.  Lo and behold, the Clips had pounded out five runs in the 8th and 9th to take an 8-5 win.

What happened?  Luis Valbuena and Luke Carlin happened.  Valbuena (.313), who some are suggesting may be DFA'ed tomorrow, cranked a two-run 8th inning long ball to tie the game.  Carlin (.341) followed with a bases loaded, bases clearing double in the 9th.  Clippers win.  Clippers win.  Their 9th in a row.

Corey Kluber (6.50 ERA) started and gave up four runs in five innings.  Jess Todd, pitching to save his spot on the 40-man, did throw a clean 6th, but his ERA is still 11.00.  Zach Putnam (1.26) earned the win and Josh Judy (3.48) his 4th save.  It would appear that Judy has now settled into the closer spot.

Kipnis, Carlin and Valbuena all had two hits, as did Ezequiel Carrera (.290) and Jerad Head (.339).  Cord Phelps (.303), on the other hand, was 0-for-5 and struck out four times.

Columbus starts a four game series in Charlotte tomorrow (7:15p).  Barring unforeseen circumstances, the starter will be Joe Martinez.

Other Minor Points of Interest --

Akron kicked the snot out of Binghamton, 10-1.  Kelvin De La Cruz (2.88) started but didn't stick around long enough for the win (4 IP, 2 H, ER, 6 BB, 5 K) which went to CC Lee.  Lee (4.26) struck out five and allowed just a walk over three frames.  Chun Chen (.258) went deep for the second consecutive game.

Congrats to my buddy Tyler Tufts, who earned a promotion to AA Frisco yesterday and pitched tonight for the RoughRiders.  Ty got the final four outs of the game without allowing a base runner as Frisco lost 4-0.  Tyler's season numbers are pretty damn impressive (1.13 ERA, .148 OBA, 0.63 WHIP).  Keep it going, kid.

Cheers.

Pretty Girl 04.30.11 - Carla Gugino

Boobies!

Guess Carlos Heard Chicks Dig the Longball

Double click the window to play.

Hey Cleveland, Are You Ready To Believe?

That's 11 in a row at home, the most since '96.

That's 17 April wins, the most ever.

That's a late inning comeback after being down 3-0 and 5-2.

Santana hit that ball ten minutes ago and I still have goosebumps.

I haven't felt this way about a team since 1995.  It's appropriate that Grover was in the booth.

Cheers.

The Indians Win It
Major League at MOVIECLIPS.com

Little Experience

I know that I have sounded pessimistic about all of the Brownies picks so far, so I will do my best to highlight the upside of #59 overall pick Greg Little.  Little was one of the infamous NC Tar Heels who were suspended for the entire 2010 campaign following illegal contact with an agent (sounds dirty).  Little is a big dude (6'2", 230) with tons of potential, but he only has two seasons at wideout from which he will be a full year removed from by the time he gets to training camp (if there is one).  Everything that I have heard suggests that he is a physical freak (see his combine stats here) who has the tools and make up to become an "impact playmaker."  Still, many graded him as a 4th or 5th rounder.  I guess I'm just not smart enough to see why this is a better pick than Leonard Hankerson.

Ob la di.

Cheers.

Sheard Madness

Yesterday we we treated to Peyton Hillis, today Paul Warfield made a guest appearance to announce the Browns first of two second round picks (#37), Jabaal Sheard.  At defensive end, the 2010 Big East defensive player of the year, supposedly will pressure both the run and the pass.  Let us hope that the brain trust knows something that we don't about Da'Quan Bowers.


Draft Preview: Jabaal Sheard by FOX_Sports_Interactive

Cheers.

Suicide Squeeze - Versatility! ('92 Upper Deck)

Mark Ingram Is People Too

No joke, it was a nice moment.

Cheers.

The Kate MIddleton Dilemma

If you had to pick one of these three would it honestly be the real one.  I would take Allison Williams (#3).

Will & Kate: Before Happily Ever After (Ep.3) from Allison Williams

OMG! Did you watch the wedding? It was so... I can't even put it into words. Because I didn't watch it! Wankers.

Cheers.

Damn, Clip Joint's Crowded

We can now officially dub Jack Hannahan the Indians' starting third baseman.  That is because Jason Donald was activated from the disabled list today, and optioned to Columbus.  Wow.  I did not see that one coming.  With all of the rampant speculation surrounding the big league pitching staff recently, the fact that Donald's 20-day rehab stint had run its course slipped to the back burner.  One would assume that Donald (.250) will receive regular playing time for the Clippers, but they do have a glut of infielders.  Top prospects Lonnie Chisenhall (.270) and Jason Kipnis (.242) are well entrenched at third and second respectively.  That leaves shortstop open for Donald, an en fuego Cord Phelps (.324), and the just returned Josh Rodriguez.  J-Rod was taken by the Pirates in December's rule 5 draft and given back after collecting one hit in twelve MLB at bats.  It is likely that the trio will also find some ABs in the DH slot, though manager Mike Sarbaugh will want to keep the bats of Jordan Brown (.286), Travis Buck (.333) and Chad Huffman (.288) in the lineup.  The moves do not bode well for players like Wes Hodges (.150) and Jerad Head (.333, but 28 years old).

The Clips did indeed play a game last night, taking their third straight from Gwinnett.  The victory boils down to two men: Chisenhall and Zach McAllister.  McAllister (3.38 ERA) started and threw seven shutout innings (6 H, 0 BB, 6 K) to earn his fourth straight win.  Chisenhall, suddenly mashing, slugged a two run homer to account for all of the offense and added a double. 

I have to get it through my thick skull that the schedule structure at AAA is very different that that of MLB.  For instance, the Clippers play the fourth and final game of their series with Gwinnett tonight and move on to Charlotte tomorrow.  Corey Kluber toes the rubber at 7:05p, seeking his first W of 2011.

Other Minor Points of Interest --

Catching prospect Chun Chen, off to a slow start, bashed his first dinger of the season last night for Akron.  Chun is batting .246 with more strikeouts (17) than hits (15).  The RBI from the solo shot was his 7th of 2011.

Lake County catcher Alex Lavisky doubled and launched his 3rd bomb for the Captains.  Lavisky's season is similar to Chun's with 14 hits to 24 K's and a .209 average.  Alex has driven home 13 in 17 games.

2010 #1 overall pick Bryce Harper has settled in nicely with the low-A Hagerstown Suns.  After a rocky first week, Harper has raised his OPS to 1.070 (.323 AVG, 5 HR) and has added 18 RBI and 4 SB.  Over his last 10 games Harper is hitting .419 with four of his home runs.

Cheers.

Pretty Girl 04.29.11 - Niki Gudex

Here's a draft day athlete for you.  She rides a bicycle in the mountains or something.

A Quest Called Tribe

And I thought that Jeff Francis was like batting practice.  He has nothing on Kyle Davies.  Choo (.250!) homered.  Then Santana (.192) went deep.  Next, Grady (.390!) left the yard.  By the time that Shelly Duncan (.348!) blasted the fourth dinger of the game, the rout was officially on.  Btw, I could have hit that beach ball out.  A tri-fecta of doubles later (including Sizemore's 8th and another from the Jack Attack) and Davies was sulking in the dugout.  I knew this KC team couldn't be for real.  It's called regressing to the mean.

'Twas more than enough for Fausto Carmona.  Bouncing back from a true stinker against the Twins, Fausto threw just 86 pitches over seven innings, 60 of them for strikes.  He 2-hit the Royals through six and finished allowing five hits and two runs.  More than any start that I have seen since, he looked like the Carmona of '07.  And that, my friends, is a good thing.

I will tell you what, these guys believe.  They're loose, they're confident and they're playing like winners.  The front office is on board as exemplified by the chutzpah of bringing up Alex White.  The dugout is full of smiles and the boys are having fun.  I've mentioned the infield defense before, but enough cannot be said.  Where they were merely a set of solid fielders on opening day, they are a unit now.  They're anticipating and complimenting each other.  What do we call that?  Teamwork.

In case you're wonder, Travis Hafner (.342) was a late scratch with right ankle inflammation.  Pronk will have an MRI on Friday.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Before I go, a shout out to Jack TheMan-ahan.  In the span of a month, he has gone from my the bane of my existence to my favorite Indian.  The man plays the game the way it was meant to be played.  He has great fundamentals and has put in the work to contribute significantly with the stick (.290, 4 HR, 12 RBI, SB).  His attitude and ethic have been infectious and the team, it is a rollin'.

Cheers.

Zero Needs Phil-ed

As far back as December, I had been spitballing with my boys about what the Browns might do with their top ten draft pick.  We were all in agreement that the team had two glaring needs: pass rush and wide receiver.  Initially I argued for the DE/LB as the Brownies had allowed 220 ypg through the air and an 84.8 opponents passer rating.  Gradually, I was swayed by the alternative, both because of the talent available and the need to keep the defense honest and, thereby, Peyton Hillis alive.

We all spent the past few weeks hoping that the Bengals would come to their senses and recognize that, even if they drafted the best wideout available, they have no one to throw the ball.  No such luck.  AJ Green was gone.  Patrick Peterson (for those who prescribe to the best available philosophy) was gone.  Then came the trade (ugh).  At that point at least, we thought the Browns still had their heads on straight and believed they could get the talent that they needed deeper in the draft to build toward a more sustainable culture of winning.

As pick #27 approached, I kept my fingers crossed with team after team passing on Da'Quan Bowers (the knee y'know).  Then, again, a trade (ugh).  Maybe the Brownies (as Mel Kuiper suggested that they might) felt that they needed to move up to get their pass rushers.  Way to be aggressive and get you man.

But, no.

No.  No.  No.

As the Madden '12 cover so eloquently put it, "With the 21st pick in 2011 NFL draft the Cleveland Browns select - Phil Taylor, defensive tackle, Baylor."

What?  What?!  Haven't I been told that Dick Jauron is going to run a 4-3?  Didn't we let Shaun Rogers walk away?  Isn't Ahtyba Rubin supposed to be one of our best defensive players?  What the hell is going on?

Round one over.  Pass rusher?  Nope.  Wideout?  Nuh-uh.  I wish that I could have faith in the organization, but, alas, I do not.

I'm going to focus on my 16-8 Indians.

Cheers.

No Impact

The Browns traded the #6 pick for the #27 plus 2011 2nd & 4th and 2012 1st & 4th.  As opposed to getting a game changer, the Brownies will pick up five stiffs.  That is because all of those picks will be at the very bottom of their respective rounds.

Great.

Hey, maybe we could keep trading down and pick up the entire seventh round.  I bet we could do it.  Get on the phone, Holmgren.

I Love the White Stuff, Baby (In the Middle Of An Oreo)

Alex White will indeed start for the Indians on Saturday.

With that mystery solved we can move on to speculating who might be dropped from the 40-man roster to accommodate White.  Earlier, I suggested Jess Todd as the most likely candidate.  After discounting the 25 men currently in the majors, the three on the DL and those I would qualify as prospects (De La Cruz, Judy, Hagadone, Kluber, McAllister, Rondon, Carrera, Weglarz) only four names remain: Todd, Luis Valbuena, Travis Buck and David Huff.  Any of them is a possibility, although I still contend Todd is the best option.

Another scenario would involve the Tribe moving either Hector Rondon or Nick Weglarz, both of whom are injured and rehabbing in extended spring training, to the 60-day DL.  As was made evident by the Jared Goedert move, the Indians are not averse to the downsides: accumulation of MLB service time and payment of a big league salary.  Even so, I would put my money on a Todd DFA.

Let's try to focus on the game now.

Cheers.

Mysterious Ways

Carlos Carrasco was officially put on the 15-day disabled list this morning and RHP Frank Herrmann was recalled to take the spot on the 25-man roster.

This does not solve the quandary of who will be the Tribe's starter on Saturday against Detroit.

In my mind there are three possibilities, excluding David Huff, who would have to come back on short rest to make the start.  We'll go from simplest to most complex.

(3)  No further roster moves are made.  Justin Germano slides into the starting rotation until either Carrasco or Mitch Talbot is healthy enough to return.  Boo hiss.  Germano hasn't made a real major league start (he started the season finale in 2010, but threw only 35 pitches) in two years and he was never very good at it to begin with (8-17, 5.50 in 36 GS).

(2)  Herrmann is returned to Columbus following Friday's game and Zach McAllister is recalled to start on Saturday.  McAllister has won his his first three starts for Columbus and is not the top tier sort of prospect that the team would worry about starting the arbitration clock on.  They also thought enough of him to add to the 40-man roster in the off-season and he has 30 AAA starts under his belt.  So far, I'm the only one suggesting this, but regard it is a possibility.

Why?

(1)  This is by far the most complicated.  This scenario involves Alex White making his MLB debut on Saturday.  Again, Herrmann would be demoted to clear a spot on the 25-man, but at least one more move would need to be made.  White is not on the 40-man, thus someone would need to be DFA'ed in order for him to come up.  Perusing the roster, the only name that seems reasonable is Jess Todd.  Though Todd competed deep into spring camp for one of the bullpen spots, his performance at AAA this year has been atrocious, 12.38 ERA atrocious.  So.... we have several factors working against White.  Maybe the Indians don't want to expose Todd.  Maybe they don't want to start White's arbitration clock.  Maybe they want to be sure that when he comes up, he's sure to stay.  What would the team do if White made three or four great starts and then Talbot and Carrasco were ready to come back.  Organizations often structure the recall of top prospects so that they are not shuttled back and forth.

This is all food for thought, though not for long.  Manny Acta tweeted that he will "probably" announce Saturday's starter after tonight's game.

Cheers.

Southern Style Clip Joint

Have you ever been to Gwinnett County, Georgia?  Gorgeous.  My favorite climate is that of Tennessee and northern Georgia and Gwinnett compliments that with a laid-back suburban southern ease that makes every breath seem easy.  Anyway, that's where the Clippers played baseball on Wednesday night.

Scottie Barnes picked up his first AAA win by throwing six and two thirds scoreless against the Braves.  While Barnes (2.31 ERA) did not have what I would call pinpoint control (5 BB), he allowed just two hits and struck out seven.  Look for Barnes and Zach McAllister to step to the front of the Clippers rotation when the Tribe plucks Alex White for Saturday.

Carlton Smith finished up (2.1 IP, 2 H, BB, 4 K) for his first save and extended his season long scoreless streak to nine and two thirds innings.  Smith, a virtual unknown, struggled last season in his first taste of AAA.  This year opponents are hitting .222 off him and he has become the Clips' dominant reliever.

On the offensive side, Cord Phelps (.343) continued to rake with two hits and an RBI.  The Travis Buck (.412) show rolled on with a two run triple.  Ezequiel Carrera (.277) walked, scored a run and stole his 8th base.

McAllister is Thursday's probable as Columbus finishes up in Gwinnett (7:05p).  He will look for his 4th consecutive win to begin the campaign.

Other Minor Points of Interest --

Giovanni Soto, acquired last summer in the Jhonny Peralta trade, snared his first W of 2011 with six shutout for Kinston.  Soto (3.06) had lost his first three starts, but responded on Wednesday with his longest stint of the season surrendering three hits and a walk while striking out six.  Still just 19, the opposition is hitting .195 off of Giovanni so far.

Steven Wright continued his journey to become a real life knuckleball pitcher with a start for the Lake County Captains.  The first four innings were outstanding and unmarred.  Wright (3.12) gave up four hits and didn't walk anyone.  The Captains put up ten runs of support for him.  The fifth inning was quite a bit different.  A leadoff error preceded four straight hits.  Wright rebounded to get a ground out and his second K, but a wild pitch-homer-double sequence chased Steven to the showers.  Four of the six runs he allowed were sorted out as unearned and the absence of walks is either a great sign (control) or an awful one (his kunckler isn't moving).  Only time will tell.

Cheers.

Pretty Girl 04.28.11 - Emilie De Ravin

Yes, Claire, I will save your baby, but you're gonna have to help me out with my own little turnip head.

Curses Are For Pussies

This is for real.  Boo-yah.

A Quest Called Tribe

Josh Tomlin pitches to contact.  He's going to give up the gopher ball.  We know this.  With a fastball that barely grazes 90 on his best day, Tomlin relies on throwing strikes and hitting his spots.  Tonight, with the exception of a couple of second inning solo jacks, he baffled the Royals for six innings.  As expounded on by Manny Acta, Josh has a very short memory.  The homers did not shake him at all, nor did the multitude of foul balls contacted by the Royals.  Of Tomlin's even hundred pitches, 73 were for strikes and he never allowed KC to get a real rally going.  The win tonight was his 4th of the season.  Acta says that he expected the tandem of Tomlin and Justin Masterson to be 9-0 at this point.  Yeah, right.  Still, it rocks.  I'm on friggin' cloud nine.

Tomlin's counterpart, Jeff Francis, topped out at a lowly 84 this evening and relied mostly on a 69 mph slow curve as his out pitch.  Francis did not get a lot of outs.  The Indians sent ten men to dish in the first, plating five highlighted by a bases clearing double from Orlando Cabrera.  Francis was gone a batter into the 4th having gotten knocked around to the tune of ten hits.  It honestly looked as if the man was throwing BP.

Acta announced after the game that a move to bring another reliever up from the minors will be announced tomorrow morning, seemingly because he cannot agree with GM Chris Antonetti on exactly which one.  That is striking as the only three AAA relievers on the 40-man are Frank Herrmann, Jess Todd and Josh Judy.  Todd has been an abomination thus far and Judy has zero major league experience.  Herrmann, on the other hand, was demoted only because Joe Smith came off of the DL.  If there is a discussion to be had, I have no idea on the argument.  Whoever gets the call will likely be around for just two days before returning to Clippers in exchange for Saturday's starter.  That is still expected to be Alex White, but I suppose Manny could just go ahead and start Justin Germano (please, no).

The Tribe has won nine in a row at home.  Everyone else in the AL Central lost tonight, so the lead grows to three and a half games.  The Indians are now officially the only team in the division above .500.  Keep on keepin' on boys.

In case you were wondering, Jack Hannahan leads the American League in hitting against left handed pitching.  Jack is 9-for-17.  That's .529.  Nice.

Cheers.

I'm Dreaming Of A White April

Carlos Carrasco will be placed on the 15-day DL.  Expect Alex White to be recalled and start Saturday in Carrasco's stead.

Should the dominoes fall logically, Joe Martinez would move into the Columbus rotation.  This would open up a spot in the Clippers' bullpen for one Nick Hagadone.  This is, of course, just idle talk.

Eric Berger, who made five starts for the Clips last summer, could be moved up from Akron.  Paolo Espino would be another bland option.  He too started for the Clippers in 2010 and began '11 in the AAA 'pen until six runs and a loss in his first two innings pitched led to a quick demotion.

We shall see.

Cheers.

The Day After the Clip Joint

It's amazing what a four hit game can do for your batting average in April.  Lonnie Chisenall entered last night's game having flirted with Mendoza all season long.  After a 4-for-5 effort (2 R, RBI) the Chiz Kid's average now sits at a reasonable .258 and all of us that were beginning to worry that he might not be all he's cracked up to can remain quiet.  Yet, even in Chisenhall's best AAA performance thus far, Lonnie was far from the only offensive hero.  Chad Huffman (.283) has been on fire since beginning 0-for-18 and contributed three hits and a pair of RBI, while Jason Kipnis (.246) tripled, homered and brought home two.  Still, the offensive MVP at this early stage has certainly been Cord Phelps.  Phelps (.328) has shown why he was in the running for the big club's utility infield spot until the final week of spring camp.  In yesterday's 7-5 win, he reached base three times (2 H, BB) and scored twice.  Cord's OPS sits at .976 and he is reaching base in nearly 50% of his plate appearances.

David Huff (3.00 ERA) took the pill for the Clips and provided a yeoman's effort.  Huff went seven to earn his second win, surrendering four earned runs on nine hits with neither a walk nor a strikeout.  David threw 94 pitches and I would officially classify him as unavailable for Saturday.

Zach Putnam threw perfect ball for the final two frames.  He struck out three to notch his third save.

I know I've said this before, but Scott Barnes IS supposed to pitch tonight for Columbus against the Gwinnet Braves.  If he doesn't make it out for tonight's 7:05p first pitch, we will know something is amiss.

Other Minor Points of Interest --

Nick Hagadone tossed three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and K'ing four, to secure the win for Akron in the second game of yesterday's double header.  Hagadone (0.00) has allowed just eight baserunners in 13.2 innings this season and has fanned 18.  The Columbus bullpen is already crowded, so, if Nick continues his outstanding work, some have speculated that he might jump straight from AA to the Jake this season.  I doubt it, but his performance in 2011 doubtlessly bodes well for the future.

Akron starter Austin Adams did fare so well in the first game.  Adams (1-2, 3.86) began the season hot, cooling off significantly in recent appearances.  Yesterday, he lasted just eight hitters, six of which he put on base (3 H, 3 BB) before getting yanked.  He was not pleased with his removal.  Austin remains a prospect with great upside, though a start of less than a full inning will give all the scouts some pause.

Before I go, I'll share yet another odd baseball occurrence that I saw for the first time in 2011.  On Monday, I was watching Phil Humber dazzle the Yankees.  Rafael Soriano came in to pitch the top of the ninth.  After he got two strikes on Alexei Ramirez the Yanks' infield move back to the cut of the grass.  Ramirez proceeded to pop the ball up on the infield.  Soriano followed through to first base side of the mound and stood there, rooted like a tree, while pointing to indicate the pop fly.  Derek Jeter sprinted in but the ball fell in front of him for a single.  The ball hit, I swear, two feet from the pitcher's mound.  I know that pitchers aren't generally supposed to chase these, but Soriano absolutely needs to go after it until someone calls him off.  A 65 foot fly ball hit.  Never seen it before.

Cheers.

A Quest Called Tribe

Aaaaah, it's Wednesday afternoon!  Stupid world.  By now, you have all savored the Indians' victory and the new cushy 2.5 game lead in the Central.  So, as opposed to picking apart the contest with a fine toothed comb, let us instead celebrate a few guys that no one expected much from.

#3) Grady Sizemore - Sure, he's Grady Sizemore, but the perception of Grady coming into the season was, at best, cautiously optimistic.  I myself only hoped for about 80% of the Sizemore that we had come to know and love.  Instead, we have been treated to a hitting show that is everything that it ever was and might be more.  After two doubles and his 3rd dinger against KC last night, Grady is hitting .406 with a 1.332 OPS.  He is raking in a way that no one, no one could have predicted.  Sadly, it seems that, coming back from microfracture surgery, Sizemore has lost a step off of his once blazing speed.  I'm not drawing this conclusion from one failed steal attempt, but, rather, from his general unwillingness or inability to take the extra base.  It remains to be seen if he can return to former glory on the basepaths, but, wherever he  lands in the lineup, his hitting is the sort of rare treat that it is simply a joy to behold.

#2) Justin Masterson - Masterson is now 5-0.  In 2010, Justin started 0-5, didn't win his 5th game until the end of August and finished 6-13.  In fact, six is the highest win total that he has accumulated in any of his three previous MLB seasons.  While his last two starts have not been as stellar as the first three, Masterson's ERA still sits at 2.18 and his WHIP at 1.12.  All five of his starts have been quality.  In the off-season, I suggested that Justin's future success would be found at the back end of the bullpen, that he simply did not have the type of consistency to become a front line starter.  So, what changed?  I have previously discussed how he has shown excellent command of all of his pitches, especially within the strike zone.  How has he made the leap?  As is the case with every pitcher, repetition of delivery is paramount to Masterson.  At a lanky 6'6" with a funky arm slot, it had always been difficult for him to utilize the same mechanics pitch after pitch.  Justin seems to have solved that problem in 2011.  Although he has more work ahead of him (on, say, avoiding clusters of hits) the production he has provided this April has been the cornerstone of a pitching staff that has led the Tribe to the top of the division.

#1) Jack "Mother E'ffing" Hannahan - Again, I was not a fan during spring training.  I could, perhaps, be described as the furthest thing therefrom.  Then on opening day his home run sliced through my haze and turned by bold prediction prophetic.  Since then, Jack has done nothing but play the best third base I have seen from an Indian in my lifetime and hit at a level that he has never even approached in the bigs.  Following a game that featured two solo blasts off of Luke Hochevar, Hannahan is hitting .286 with an .872 OPS.  His four homers are tied for the team lead.  His 13 runs scored are tied for the team lead.  His 11 RBI are tied for third.  The guy bats 9th and plays about five times a week.  Of all of the things that had to go exactly right to push the Indians into first, none was an unexpected or unlikely as this boon from a dude who hit .237 at AAA last year.  During March, I wrote that he could never be the next Casey Blake.  I stand by that.  Instead, Jack is carving out a niche all his own that will make taking his starting job away nearly impossible.  Put succinctly, the Jack attack is back, baby.

Oh, and Vinnie Pestano?  N to the asty!  Unreal.

Cheers.

Thank Goodness That Ke$ha Is A Who-Er

Because that's all she's got on this chick.  More on Allison Williams to come.

Pretty Girl 04.27.11 - Teri Hatcher

They're real and they're spectacular.

HuffIn', White Out?

The Columbus Clippers web site has been updated to indicate David Huff as tonight's starting pitcher against the Gwinett Braves.  It is highly unlikely that the Indians would allow Huff to make this start if they intended to use him on Saturday against the Tigers.  As explained yesterday, Alex White would slot into that start on normal rest.  While it is still possible that Carlos Carrasco will not miss a start or that a wild card (Zach McAllister?) could fill in, the White option now seems at least plausible.  More to come as it unfurls.

Update:  A Tuesday MRI revealed that Carrasco sustained no structural damage to his pitching elbow.  He will throw a bullpen session prior to Wednesday's game, the results of which will determine if he starts on Saturday.  Given his history with the elbow (it held him out of a number of starts last year at Columbus) the Indians are prepared to exercise extreme caution with the young righty.  If Carrasco feels any pain at all, he will be DLed and a replacement for his spot in the rotation will be needed.

Cheers.

Flick to Click: Another Earth

Opens 07.20.11.

Rickey Henderson Says "Rickey Henderson Drinks Pepsi MAX!"

Why only one dead guy?

Clip Joint's Got Young Talent

Today is Monday.  Five days from now it will be Saturday.  If the Tribe does indeed place Carlos Carrasco on the DL, as they are expected to, the team will need a starter for their Saturday tilt.  Tonight, Alex White started the first game of a double header against Indianapolis.  He started and he was, again, masterful.  White (1.90 ERA) threw five and two thirds, giving up a 1st inning solo dinger, but nothing else of consequence.  In gaining his first AAA victory, he allowed five hits and two walks, while striking out eight.  Alex has thrown 23.2 innings in four starts with a WHIP a whisper over one and 28 Ks.  While the presumption is that we will see David Huff get the call, the table could not be set any better to give the kid a shot.

The Clippers offense continued to roll, giving White more support than he needed.  Chad Huffman (.250)  launched his 5th bomb, Travis Buck (.545) drove in two more, Jordan Brown (.275) doubled twice and brought in a run and Luis Valbuena (.309) doubled in a pair.  If only we could get Lonnie Chisenhall (.213, 0-3, BB, R today) going.

Carlton Smith got the final four outs of the seven inning affair to maintain his perfect ERA.

Brown struck again in the night cap, bashing a 5th inning grand slam to get the Clips back into the game.  Run scoring singles in the 6th by Valbuena and Ezequiel Carrera (.298) gave Columbus the 6-5 lead that held to be the final.

Joe Martinez (6.75) started, but was gone in the 4th after allowing three earned.  Get used to him.  If the Indians do bring another starter up, Martinez will likely slide into the Columbus rotation.

Jess Todd (12.38, no really) is a train wreck.  In a mere inning and a third Todd surrendered 3 hits and 3 walks en route to two more runs.  He's pitched 8 innings this season and put 24 men on base.  The opposition is hitting .486 off of him.  These are the kinds of numbers that can lead to release and end a career.  I foresee a DL stint in his future.

Jensen Lewis (0.00) threw a clean sixth and earned his second win in as many days.  Josh Judy was effective in the 7th for his 2nd save.

It was a great home stand, in spite of the rain.  My seal of approval (I'll come up with a more clever name soon) goes out to Indianapolis Indian Garrett Olson.  One of the most talkative players that I have encountered, he oozes a zen perspective that is shocking in a pro player.

The Clippers take to the road tomorrow, headed to the rolling hills of Gwinnett to visit the Bravos.  As we continue to speculate on who might start for the Tribe on Saturday, we can rest assured that it will not be Scott Barnes, who toes the rubber Tuesday for Columbus.

Other Minor Points of Interest --

Another successful, albeit brief, start for Drew Pomeranz (2.00) with Kinston on Monday.  Drew tossed just three innings, allowing a solo homer and two additional hits, while mowing down five.  No worries on his health, Pomeranz is fit as a fiddle, high A-ball is just wacky with starters sometimes.

Update: Word on the street is that Pomeranz felt some "hamstring tightness" and his removal was precautionary.  All indications are that Pomeranz is simply "day-to-day," as are we all. 

Kyle Blair continued to throw well for the Captains, notching his second win.  Blair allowed five hits, among them a bases empty dong, and struck out four in his five innings of work.  True, Kyle has only made four pro starts, but he is a 22-year old with NCAA experience under his belt.  If he continues to perform, the 2010 fourth round pick, could rise quickly through the organization.

Cheers.

Pretty Girl 04.26.11 - Constance Zimmer

Really, I watch too much Entourage.  Who knew Dana Gordon had this kind of body?

Suicide Squeeze - Timmy! ('92 Upper Deck)

MVotD - Eddie Vedder - Scoiety

The Into the Wild soundtrack might be my favorite album of all time. The video only adds to the disenfranchisement found in the song.

Pretty Girl 04.25.11 - Rachel Stevens

Does anyone else remember S Club 7?

Clip Joint Easter Special

It's not very often that a team wins when their starting pitcher lasts all of three and a third innings while walking six and throwing barely 50% of his pitches for strikes.  Yet, that is exactly what happened this Easter Sunday for the Clippers.  Corey Kluber (6.23 ERA) got the start and danced into and out of trouble until Jensen Lewis relieved him in the fourth.  Despite the wildness Kluber struck out five and surrendered just three hits as two Indy runs (1 ER) came across.  Lewis (0.00) was masterful over 1.2, putting just one man on base and securing the win when Columbus put up five in the bottom of four.  Zach Putnam (0.87) threw two clean innings following Lewis and Josh Judy (3.68) closed for his first save.  The only bump in the road came in the 8th when an erratic Frank Herrmann (6.75) gave up two earned and let Indianapolis back into the game.  The final was 6-4.

Travis Buck (.625) got the Clips on the board with a second inning solo shot and added a walk and a second run scored.  Buck certainly has made an impression in his first two Cow Town appearances.  The five in the fourth came on a triple-homer-homer set from three straight hitters.  Jordan Brown (.250) brought in a pair with his three base hit then came home himself on a Paul Phillips (.227) long ball.  Luis Valbuena (.280) followed with a jack of his own to give Columbus the four run lead that would hold up through nine.  Jason Donald (.250), still recovering from a broken hand and a strained quad, was back in the lineup going 1-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout as he handled the DH role.

The Clippers play a pair tomorrow to make up for Saturday's rain out.  I'm kind of afraid to guess, but maybe Scott Barnes and Alex White for the twin bill.

Other Minor Points of Interest --

Not much to tell with Akron and LC taking the day off, but friend of the family Tyler Tufts did throw a clean ninth in Myrtle Beach's series finale with Kinston.  Ty worked around a leadoff double by CF Tyler Holt (.259) and wiffed formed top prospect Abner Abreu (.254) to finish the inning. 

Since I have all of this extra space, I'll treat you to my favorite Easter Sunday baseball story of all time.  Back in '98 I was sitting at my grandmother's house watching the Indians get their teeth kicked in by the Angels on good old channel 43.  This also happened to be the day that wunderkind Kerry Wood started his first MLB game.  43 cut to a studio update on the matter which featured this quote, "Many find it appropriate that Kerry Wood makes his debut on this day that celebrates the greatest resurrection, just as he is poised to resurrect the Cubs franchise."  Wow.  Talk about hyperbole.  All these years later it seems painfully laughable as well, especially after watching the Big K sputter through his tenure with the Tribe.

Now nap time.

Cheers.

A Quest Called Tribe

Was it enough to lose another one to the cellar dwelling Twins?  Was it enough to put just three runs on the board again?  Was it enough for Rafael Perez to betray his humanity for the first time in 2011?  Short answer: Hells, No!  On top of all of that dissapointment, Carlos Carrasco left after three innings with pain in his right elbow.  To be filed under "Be Careful What You Wish For," expect David Huff to rejoin the big league club during the coming week.  Huff missed his last AAA start due to the weekend tempest in Columbus. 

Excrement.  I mean excellent.  Or maybe not.  With Mitch Talbot on the shelf for another four to six weeks and Jeanmar Gomez showing himself only minimally more effective in relief of Carrasco, the dream might just be dead.  I know, doom and gloom, but that's what we're used to here on the north coast and we're in line for a bit more.  Think about who might be in line for a recall should another starter go down.  Joe Martinez, a rehabbing Anthony Reyes or ... jeez, that's it.  They're not going to call up a kid.  Welcome back to 2010.

We could talk about instant replay and how you can't have it both ways.  Either review literally everything to remove any chance of error or accept the human factor in the game as it has always been.  I'm not going to get up on a soap box for either, but get off the damn fence Bud!  Or you could call Goodell (he's doing a bang up job) and ask to borrow a few red flags.  Bah!

It is still not as bad as it seems.  The Tribe still resides at the top of the division and this might just be the storm to be weathered en route to a breakout season.  Troubling to me is the inability to take advantage of a sun-drop single and tie the game off of a bunch of chump relievers in the 8th.  Worrisome is Asdrubal Cabrera hacking at the first pitch with Grady Sizemore on second in the ninth.  Disheartening is how important today's game became after the team's inability to produce against a pack of no name starting pitchers over the past week.  Just plain disgusting is the single home run that the Indians have cracked on the road trip.

Aaaaahh, I hate losing!  Even for the best of teams it is going to happen 50 or 60 times a year, but I don't have to like it.

Still, Vinny Pestano's nasty. And Justin Masterson pitches on Tuesday.

Cheers.

Pretty Girl Update! - Leighton Meester

I might watch too much Entourage.

And Knowing IS Half the Ballad

The Ballad of G.I. Joe from Olivia Wilde

Frankly, Olivia Wilde suited up as the Baroness is more than enough for me, but see if you can pick out the rest of the celeb cameos.

Then eat some ham.

Cheers.

Easter Eggs

A few special gifts that I choose not to post directly.  Eat them Peeps!

Jennette McCurdy

Renee Olstead

Teresa Palmer

Cheers.

Pretty Girl 04.24.11 - Gwen Stefani

 And this is all she should be.

A Quest Called Tribe

Labels are dangerous things.  Fausto Carmona was anointed the Indians' #1 starter last summer and the opening day starter long before spring camp even opened.  Now the ace of our first place Tribe sits at 1-3, his ERA an ugly 5.76.  Fausto's success waxes and wanes with his command.  He must establish the propensity to throw quality strikes or the opposition will fail to flail at the wicked nasty stuff that he leaves out of the zone.  Carmona did not have any sort command on this day.  He walked four in his five innings, throwing just 49 of his 86 pitches for strikes.  More problematic is that when Fausto comes out and discovers that he doesn't have his A game, his approach changes dramatically.  Unable to spot his out pitches, Carmona relies more and more on those that he can get over the plate.  He succeeds in controlling the ball, yet ultimately fails as these pitches, regardless of type, are quite hittable.  When the dust settled today, the Twins had six runs and seven hits on the board and Fausto was off to an early shower.  We all know that Carmona has a bit of a fragile psyche, so perhaps relieving him of the weight of top billing might allow him to flourish somewhat beneath the radar.  Just a thought.

The starter was far from the only issue against the Twins.  Chad Durbin (ugh, it's back) removed any realistic possibility of an Indians' comeback by surrendering four runs in his two innings of "relief."  Durbin (7.56 ERA) had put together a couple of consecutive clean outings, but he got hit hard today, really hard.  Among the four hits allowed were a line-shot home run and a double to the gap that almost got out as well.  Let's start an official "DFA Durbin" chant.

All of this against an offense that entered play batting a robust .233 and averaging a whole three runs per game.  There is no excuse for this kind of pitching display.

Still, the offense could have done a lot more.  Outside of Grady Sizemore's 8th inning two-run shot down the right field line, the lineup was meek and ineffectual.  They have appeared unable to take advantage of some sub-par opposing starters.  Brian Duensing?  Bruce Chen?  C'mon guys.  Of Sizemore's 9 hits since returning from the DL, five (3 2B, 2 HR) have been for extra bases.  Even after an 0-for-4 today, Michael Brantley is still hitting .296 with an OBP dancing right around .400.  While Manny Acta seems reluctant to redesign his lineup card, wouldn't it seem much more sensible to bat Brantley leadoff and take advantage of Sizemore's power deeper in the lineup?  There is, of course, the theory that batting Brantley at seven effectively creates a second leadoff man that utilizes Sizemore's production anyway.  There might, emphasis on might, be some merit to this thought, but when your club cannot outslug the opposition with the likes of Sean O'Sullivan on the mound, it is likely time to get back to basics.

In case you're wondering, the Clippers have been rained out on back to back days now, although Johnny Cueto did sign for me during warm-ups yesterday.  I officially remove my hex.  He can keep his arm.  I do not think the man speaks English as well as, say, Shin-Soo Choo.

Cheers.

Suicide Squeeze - B-Phip Flip ('92 Upper Deck)

Trevor Crowe Contributes!

This is a candy store mascot doing an impression of Chris Perez.  I believe that Trevor Crowe filmed this.  If not, he is at least the man who made Perez aware.

Cheers.

Pretty Girl 04.23.11 - Kate Upton

I'm in love.

Tick Tock...

We're now less than a week from the NFL's lame duck draft and the Browns' intentions are pretty clear.

First off, understand that Marcel Dareus (DE, Alabama) will be gone.  Von Miller (LB, Texas A&M) will be gone.  Each of them has at least two teams in the top five targeting him.  Neither will be available to the Brownies.  That leaves the Browns with three possibilities with the number six pick, assuming that they don't trade down like a pack of blood belching vagines.

Here are the scenarios --

(1) If AJ Green (WR, Georgia) is on the board when the Browns turn comes (and he will be if the Bengals understand that they have no one to throw to him, but hey they're the Bengals), they will draft him.  Period.  Regardless of any argument that can be made for taking the best available player, Green is the best prospect at the team's biggest position of need.  Read that as -- they have no true #2 receiver, let alone a #1.  Green is also as close as it comes to a sure thing (think Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald or Andre Johnson).  He has great size, great hands and great speed.  What more could a team ask for?  In fact, earlier today, Mel Kiper stated that, if he were in charge making the Panthers' #1 overall selection, he would take Green.  Done and done.

Should the Bengals indeed choose AJ Green with #4 pick, the situation becomes somewhat murkier


(2) Let's assume that AJ Green and Patrick Peterson (CB, LSU) are both gone, which is entirely possible.  In this circumstance, the Brown take Julio Jones (WR, Alabama).  Look back on a comparison between Green and Jones, here.  Wideout is still the Brownies most glaring hole and Jones is a solid top 10 pick with unreal metrics.  He just needs to become more consistent in, y'know, catching the ball.

(3) If Green is gone and Peterson is not, I honestly don't know what the Browns will do.  The case for Jones is strong, but Peterson is described by some as a once in a lifetime talent.

I would take Jones because I don't buy the best available argument.  Even if you have two shutdown corners, you're not going to win if you cannot keep the defense honest and away from utterly destroying Peyton Hillis.  Also, many cite Petersons' return skills as a significant factor in his draft stock.  Has everyone forgotten that the NFL moved kickoffs up?  Additionally, we already have an A+ return man.  Despite the fact that Josh Cribbs makes a much deeper impact on kick returns, we're sound in all facets of the return game.

Jones is also my best guess as to what the Browns would do if put into this position.  Mike Holmgren and Pat Shurmur are both offensive minds and they will not be able to pass on a weapon like Julio.

The Browns will not select Robert Quinn (DE, North Carolina).  I recognize the need for a pass rush, but the absence of any real wide receiver trumps it like a whole pack of spades (the suit, dummies).  Quinn simply has too many character questions and is too damn raw.

Just my 2 cents.  The draft commences at 8p, Thursday, 04.28.

Cheers.

A Quest Called Tribe A.K.A. Clip Joint Washout

Cheers.