Hurricane Clip Joint

A day after the Clippers became the first AAA squad to reach 40 wins in 2011, the skies cracked opened and delay #41 at least another 24 hours.  I have never been out in, nay never seen live, weather such as what touched downtown Columbus last night.  After a 90 degree pre-game, clouds rolled in, the temperature dropped and the contest was eventually delayed in the third when the rains came.  Initially, the drops fell straight down, then, about 15 minutes in, the winds arrived.  Within about 5 minutes I was ensconced in what I have to image the gulf coast has nightmares of.  The rain was flying horizontally, swirling.  I was in an L-shaped hallway leading to a men's room and the precipitation found its way around two right angles to speckle me as I watched.  Wowza.

Suffice if to say, the Clippers did not complete their game last night.  That is quite as shame as the boys has put a five spot on the board in the first and Zach McAllister was in line for win #8 when mother nature intervened.  A couple of quick notes about the game that may never count for anything.  Lonnie Chisenhall laced an RBI double to bring home Columbus' first run.  He made an outstanding adjustment during the at-bat, having smoked the previous pitch down the right field line foul before straightening out the double into the corner.  The Chiz Kid is always more impressive in person than he is on paper.  Luis Valbuena, the hottest hitter in all of chistendom, had not yet extended his 19 game hit streak and looked to be pressing just a bit.  Luis took an awful cut on a 2-1 pitch during an AB that ended in a strikeout for him and the play on the field for everyone.  Shelley Duncan, who had walked in 3 of his first 8 PA's, added another 2 bases on balls, but, again, all of this is pending for the moment.

Should the Buffalo area remain calm, the Bisons host our Clippers at 7:05p with Corey Kluber scheduled to pitch.

Other Minor Points of Interest --

CC Lee completed his 5th straight scoreless outing for the Aeros yesterday.  A hit and a pair of walks accompanied two more punch outs for the 24 year old right hander.  Lee (1-1, 2.57) has thrown 8.1 innings over the stretch, surrendering just 3 hits and 3 walks while fanning 12.  His K/9 is a brilliant 12.60 on the season.

There has been a lot of chatter recently about Akron righty reliever Matt Langwell, who picked up his 3rd save of the season last night.  Lagwell (2-1, 1.27) was an 11th round pick in 2008 out of Rice and has not been score upon his last 10.1 innings.  Over the past three seasons (one each at Low-A, High-A, and AA) his ERA is an even 2.00, his OBA .217, his WHIP 1.05 and his K/9 a flat 9.00 (or one an inning).  He has been described as "still under the radar," but with a real opportunity to contribute as a big league middle reliever.  I will be digging to get a bit more information of the kid.

Rob Bryson took a 10th inning loss for the Lake County Captains.  Bryson (0-1, 3.38) put the game winning run into scoring position via a walk and a hit batter, then allowed a two-out walk-off single.  Control is not a huge concern for 23-year old RHP and more focus should be on keeping healthy a player who has missed significant time in each of the past four season.

Cheers.