You're Waiting For a Train...: Apr 12, 2012

Thursday, April 12, 2012

MVotD - Johnny Cash - Hurt

Prior to yesterday, I had never seen the video, which means that I have likely not yet posted it. One of my top 5 songs of all-time. To thine self be true...

Cheers.

It's Official... Indians Sign Johnny Damon

The deal is 1yr, $1.25mil with another $1.4mil worth of incentives. In perhaps the oddest contract clause that I have ever encountered, Damon can opt out of the deal ~~when~~ if Grady Sizemore returns. Supposedly the Commissioner's office has to approve that bit, but no one anticipates a problem. A bigger issue is likely Johnny ability to play the outfield every day. Over the past two seasons (2010 with Detroit and 2011 with Tampa) he has racked up just 52 games on the lawn. Always an above average defender, in spite of arm that envies that of an amputee, Damon put up a 25 rTot/yr in left last season and a -2 in 2010. We all know what Johnny looks like, so here's a quick pic of his wife. ;-j

Pretty Girl Special Report! - Jessica Dorrell

This is the chick that Bobby Petrino got fired from his $3.5mil/yr coaching job for. Eh, she's alright.

The Clip Joint

Matt Pagnozzi

The Clips (7-2) have played twice since last we spoke, splitting the pair with the Indianapolis Indians. I took in the game live from Huntington Park on Wednesday night and watched as the boys launched 5 home runs in coming up on the wrong end of an 8-6 tally. Today's businessman's special was much more true to from with Corey Kluber fanning 8 over 5 innings (3 H, 4 ER, 2 BB) in the 5-4 victory to move to 2-0.

Chad Huffman (.364) hit solo shots in both games, his first two bombs of the season. Trevor Crowe (.389), Gregorio Petit (.235) and Matt LaPorta (.303) all also homered with the bases empty on Wednesday before Lonnie Chisenhall (.313) capped the scoring with an absolute monster 2-run dong that traveled over the Wendy's home run porch, the netting atop the roof and the entirety of the stadium before landing in a parking lot across Nationwide Avenue. Still, the tater for LaPorta was his only hit in seven trips across both games and the Chiz Kid (after I applauded him for his plate discipline) fanned in 4 of 8 ABs. Cord Phelps (.313) and Russ Canzler (.214) each added 3 hits to significantly improve their batting averages.

Kevin Slowey got the start on Wednesday and suffered through a wildly inconsistent start (7.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K). Three of the five (including the two unearned) came across in the 3rd when throwing errors by Slowey (on a bunt) and catcher Matt Pagnozzi (on a pickoff attempt at third) helped Indy take the early lead. Other than that, Kevin looked pretty good... except for the two big blasts his surrendered to center. Speaking of pitching, Indianapolis starter Justin Wilson made the Clips look stupid for the first 6 innings in allowing just 2 hits and fanning seven. Even more conspicuous was Indians' (stay with me, they are the Indianapolis Indians) closer Bryan Morris. He came in having fanned 5 in his first (perfect) 1 1/3 innings of the season. Think about it. It's not a typo. Last night, Morris surrendered the round trippers to LaPorta and Chisenhall (sandwiched around a walk to Canzler) before striking out the next three to escape with the win. Yeah, that's 8 Ks in 2 1/3 now.

Today, the Clipper's bullpen was the true star as Frank Herrmann, Nick Hagadone and Chris Ray combined for four shutout innings, allowing just a hit and a walk while punching out 5. Ray seems to be the default closer at this point, notching his 2nd save. It's easy for the bullpen to do so well when most of them should be in the majors.

Still in search of their first off day of the season, Columbus plays at Louisville tomorrow with Scottie Barnes taking the hill at 7:05p.

P.s. I actually was motivated to take some pics last night, but somebody (who could that be?) forgot to charge my camera's battery. Bollocks.