Friday afternoon saw the completion of a June 10th game between the Clippers and Red Wings that began in Columbus and was suspended due to a rain storm, the likes of which I had never before seen. IL scheduling being what it is, the game was completed in Rochester. Baseball rules being what they are, none of the statistics became official until the contest passed the four and a half inning mark.
Thus, McAllister (9-3, 3.27) was finally credited with the work he did back in June (3 IP, 3 H, ER, 4 K) in addition to the performance that he actually turned in yesterday. It was nearly a gem. Zach shut out the Red Wings over the first 6 frames of the 7 inning game, before allowing four hits in the 7th and leaving one out shy of a complete game victory. The outing (6.2 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 6 K) was still good enough to earn him his first victory since June 21st. The combined line of 9.2 IP, 0 BB, 10 K, not too shabby.
Brett Brach, who you might remember from a dazzling spot start with the Aeros early in the season, entered with the resumption and tossed 4.2 innings of solid ball (6 H, 2 ER, BB, 2 K). Brach notched the W and has now won at three different levels of the Indians' organization in 2011.
Nick Hagadone struggled with his control (1.1 IP, 3 BB, 2 K) in closing out game 1, but still earned his 4th save. Despite the wildness on Friday, the issue of command has seemingly resolved itself for Hagadone (2.73 BB/9). All of his numbers look great (6-2, 2.59, .212 OBA, 9.62 K/9) and I would be surprised if Nick, already on the 40-man, does not see time with the big club in September.
At the dish, Jerad Head (.282) finally got credit for home run #22. With 66 RBI, an .862 OPS and a right handed stick, Head is the top candidate to fill the empty spot on the 40-man, should the Tribe not make a waiver wire deal. Cord Phelps (.301) led the charge in game 2 with a two run, first inning shot and Chad Huffman (.249) continued to tattoo the baseball (2-for-3, 2 2B, RBI, .594 over his last 10).
The Clips took both games (6-3, 4-3) and now sit at 76-45 (.628), tied for the 2nd most wins in all of minor league ball.
The Clippers have not announced their starter for tonight's 7:05 tilt (it is David Huff's spot, but he starts for the Indians tomorrow). If I was forced to guess, I would go with Mitch Talbot. ;-j
Other Minor Points of Interest --
Here is the cream of the crop for the Captains. Make the drive and check them out.
Felix Sterling - Felix spent the first half of 2011 at extended spring training, before making six appearances for the AZL Indians (2-3, 4.10, 10.59 K/9). He was promoted to Lake County in late July and has made three starts thus far (2-1, 2.20). Sterling is a big kid (6'3", 200) and has explosive stuff. The challenge going forward will be command. While he has limited Midwest League hitters to a .179 clip and fanned 13 in 16.1 innings, he has walked 13 as well. His last outing produced more than half of those (5 IP, 2 H, ER, 7 BB, 5 K) and resulted in his first loss. The Tribe will bring the 18 year old along slowly, so expect 2 or 3 more starts this year and a return to Eastlake in 2012.
Luigi Rodriguez - L-Rod tore up the AZL (.379, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 12 SB, .987 OPS) before a July promotion and has entered a period of adjustment at the new level. His numbers (.256, 5 SB) are not bad, but it is clear that the 18 year old has never competed against this type of talent before. There are no shackles on Rodriguez, he will advance as quickly as his performance does. Similar to Sterling, expect him back at High-A in 2012.
LeVon Washington - 2011 has been an injury plagued and frustrating season for the 2010 2nd round pick. LeVon did not get into game action until mid-May and has just returned from another month on the shelf. While his production has clearly been affected (.228, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 13 SB, .667 OPS), he delivered an inside-the-park home run yesterday, in his first game back. Overall, Washington is 8-for-17 (.471) in his last five with 5 runs scored and 4 RBI. Where the 19 year old ends up in 2012 will be entirely dependent on what he shows over the next month and his ability to stay healthy.
Kyle Blair - The 2010 4th rounder was not expected to spend this much time at Low-A. Blair, who turns 23 next month, has dealt with a nagging right knee injury all season and it has notably affected his performance. The hefty (6'3", 236) lefty has sturggled (3-5, 6.09, 1.66 WHIP) through 16 appearances and has only just returned to active duty. Kyle pitched 2 innings out of the pen last night and showed rust (3 H, ER), though he also avoided much damage (0 BB, K). He does not have much time left to make his mark in 2011 and, at this point, it is a coin flip as to whether be begin 2012 with LC or Kinston.
Michael Goodnight - Dude is not really a prospect, but I love his name, so we shall take a look. A promising season (5-4, 2.49 through mid-June) for the 2010 13th round has circled straight down the crapper. Over his last 10 starts Goodnight is 0-7 with a 7.48 ERA and a .318 OBA. It had been ever worse before a solid outing on the 8th (5 IP, 3 H, ER, 2 BB 4 K). In the four starts prior Michael had posted a 10.69 ERA and a 2.06 WHIP. The end result of these streaks has been a mediocre statistical line (5-11, 4.45, .234 OBA) and a sense of urgency for the right-hander to deliver down the stretch to ensure his place in the system.
Cheers.
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