Clip Joint (Better Than) 500

Corey Kluber

Yup, yup.  Clippers win, Clippers win.  Still we all have to come to terms with the fact that there is simply not the same level of talent at Columbus this season as there was when the club won back-to-back AAA National Championships in 2010 and 2011.  The Clips (8-5) are still playing good ball, but the offensive leader tonight was Matt Pagnozzi (.346) who delivered 2 hits and 2 RBI, including his first home run of the young season.  Russ Canzler (.191) had two hits as well and Cord Phelps (.316) singled in a run in the 9th to extend his hitting streak to 11 games, but that was about it.  Both Trevor Crowe (.405) and Lonnie Chisenhall (.345) took an 0-for-5.

Corey Kluber (3-0, 2.81) started and pitched very well for the third straight start.  Although Kluber (6 IP, 6 H, ER, BB, 7 K) is not in contention to take the upcoming spot start, he has certainly been the most consistent member of the Clippers rotation thus far.  Opponent are batting just .220 against Corey in 2012 as the righty has fanned 25 in 16 innings.  Once again, the bullpen was dominant.  CC Lee (2.57) and Chris Ray (2.45, 3 SV) combined for three shutout innings to preserve the lead and the victory.

By the way, with Asdrubal Cabrera on bereavement leave, the Indians have chosen to add Nick Hagadone in his absence.  The clock is ticking for Tony Sipp and Rafael Perez.

Tomorrow's game 2 against Indianapolis is a 1:05p tilt with Scottie Barnes (0-1, 4.09) on the mound.

Other Minor Points of Interest...

Akron
Jared Goedert (.385) just continues to hit.  He added a single and a double this evening and is primed to move back to AAA just as soon as a spot opens up.  Chun Chen (.278) has awoken as well.  With two more hits tonight, he is hitting .437 over his last four games.  Thomas Neal (.200), however, has yet to find his stroke.  A 1-for-2 game against Bowie finally raised his average to Mendoza, but he was also caught stealing and picked off.  Nick Weglarz (.133) has sat out back-to-back games.  Couple that with his poor performance (.321 OPS) and one must wonder if Wegz is, yet again, injured.

Carolina
One wonders how patient the organization can be with Tony Wolters (.111) before he is demoted.  Part of the concern is that Francisco Lindor is currently manning shortstop for Lake County, but you cannot leave Wolters, who took another o-fer tonight, in as confidence ebbs.  Jesus Aguilar (.361) is just fine, however.  He doubled and walked today.  Jake Lowey (.317) went 0-for-4 with a pair of K's.

Lake County
Things have not gone well of late in Eastlake.  The kids have dropped eight straight by a combined score of 59-31 and the last two games have produced a total of just 4 runs.  Tonight, Luigi Rodirguez (.333) saw his hit steak come to an end and Alex Lavisky (.256) saw his hitless streak extend to 8 AB's.  The aforementioned Lindor (.309) did single and walk.  Starter Elvis Araujo (0-3, 3.00) has been a hard luck loser all season including this evenings contest.  Araujo took his team through six (6 H, 2 BB, K) and left behind 3-2 only because of 2 unearned runs.  Oh yeah, LeVon Washington (.440) had an MRI on his hip yesterday, the same area that gave the former first rounder trouble last season.  Washington has not played since April 11th.

Also...

Fate certainly handed Bryce Harper (.245) the situation to ignite what has, so far, been quite a stagnant season.  After Syracuse fell behind 1-0 in the top of the 9th, Harper came to the dish with runners on second and third and two out in the bottom of the frame.  With the home fans on their feet, Bryce took a 1-2 pitch and lined it... directly into the second baseman's glove.  He is still looking for his first AAA home run.

Cheers.