Monday, June 27, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
It's Good To Be A Knight
You do realize that this is the barest departure from the truth. Right?
Right?
Cheers.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
My Kinda Hybrid
I'm not quite sure if I'm posting this because it's sorta funny or because the chick is pretty damn hot. Who am I kidding, it's the chick. Her name is Samantha Gutstadt and, unbelievably, this is the best cheesecake out there on her.
Cheers.
Pretty Girl 06.25.11 - Gretchen Mol
Friday, June 24, 2011
Pretty Girl Update! - Megan Fox
Jensen Says It Best
Completely shell-shocked.. Never thought this would happen..
Jensen Lewis tweeted at noon on Friday. Although the corresponding move has yet to be officially announced, the Indians have promoted RHP CC Lee from Akron to Columbus. Based on the above communique, we have to believe that Lewis has been released.
On the post-season roster in 2007 and the closer in the second half 2008, Lewis was coming off a strong 2010 (4-2, 2.97). Heading into camp he was a favorite to snare a bullpen spot with the big club, but an horrific spring (14.29 ERA, 2.82 WHIP) resulted in a demotion to AAA. His 2011 with Columbus has been inconsistent at best (5.14 ERA, .342 OBA). Jensen began the campaign in fine fashion, picking up one-run saves in each of the season's first two games. He made both interesting, putting two on in game 1 and loading them up with one out in game two before escaping. Despite not officially allowing a run, he blew the save in an April 12th loss at Louisville, sat for a week and returned in a lesser role. Lewis responded well and did not surrender his first run of the season until May 2nd, the same day that he earned his third win. Then, the wheels came off. His ERA in May was 6.75, 9.64 in June. His OBA climbed from .226 in April to .365 in May and has been .435 since June 1. Now he has become the fourth former high profile prospect (Jess Todd, Jordan Brown, Wes Hodges) that the Tribe has parted ways with in the first half.
I have always been of the opinion that Jensen Lewis has closer stuff and make-up and, for many reasons, he just did not fit well in the Indians organization. It began with a personality conflict with Eric Wedge and never truly recovered. Still, in addition to his talent, Lewis is a great clubhouse guy, rallying his teammates pre-game and delivering the shaving cream pies afterwards. The very best to a class act in Lewis, wherever he may land.
Cheers.
On the post-season roster in 2007 and the closer in the second half 2008, Lewis was coming off a strong 2010 (4-2, 2.97). Heading into camp he was a favorite to snare a bullpen spot with the big club, but an horrific spring (14.29 ERA, 2.82 WHIP) resulted in a demotion to AAA. His 2011 with Columbus has been inconsistent at best (5.14 ERA, .342 OBA). Jensen began the campaign in fine fashion, picking up one-run saves in each of the season's first two games. He made both interesting, putting two on in game 1 and loading them up with one out in game two before escaping. Despite not officially allowing a run, he blew the save in an April 12th loss at Louisville, sat for a week and returned in a lesser role. Lewis responded well and did not surrender his first run of the season until May 2nd, the same day that he earned his third win. Then, the wheels came off. His ERA in May was 6.75, 9.64 in June. His OBA climbed from .226 in April to .365 in May and has been .435 since June 1. Now he has become the fourth former high profile prospect (Jess Todd, Jordan Brown, Wes Hodges) that the Tribe has parted ways with in the first half.
I have always been of the opinion that Jensen Lewis has closer stuff and make-up and, for many reasons, he just did not fit well in the Indians organization. It began with a personality conflict with Eric Wedge and never truly recovered. Still, in addition to his talent, Lewis is a great clubhouse guy, rallying his teammates pre-game and delivering the shaving cream pies afterwards. The very best to a class act in Lewis, wherever he may land.
Cheers.
Clip Joint Is the Place To Be
Nick Hagadone, who has had some noticeable issues adjusting to the International League, finished up with a scoreless inning. Nick (2-1, 6.60) loaded the bases on two hits and a walk but, having secured the first two outs via the whiff, induced a inning ending fly ball to preserve the shutout.
The offense used a balanced approach to provide six runs of support. Ezequiel Carrera (.301) reached base four times on two hits and two walks and scored a pair of runs. Jason Kipnis (.290) stroked an RBI triple, his 9th three-bagger of the season. Every Clipper has a hit save Lonnie Chisenhall (.257), but the Chiz Kid did his part, driving home two runs.
The Clips open a four game set with the Gwinett Braves at Huntington Park tonight. First pitch is at 7:05p with David Huff on the hill.
Other Minor Points of Interest --
Nick Weglarz, who has slumped horribly over the past week, continued last night for the Aeros, going 0-for-3 with a walk. Since homering twice on June 16th, Wegs (.146) is hitless in 14 AB's, although he has walked 8 times. So, even though his batting average over that span is an endless string of zeros, his OBA is a healthy .364. Nick, seemingly primed to return to AAA just seven days ago, now finds himself in a limbo only escaped from with hits.
Rob Bryson pitched effectively again for Kinston, with two innings of two hit, two strikeout ball. Bryson now has seven punch-outs in 4.1 scoreless High-A innings as he works his way back the AA level that he reached last season.
2010 third round pick Tony Wolters, derailed by a broken hamate bone in spring training, is back to work with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. Wolters (.292) tripled twice last night and has put up an .808 OPS thus far.
Josh Rodriguez, selected by the Pirates in the Rule 5 draft and then returned, has been traded back to the Pittsburgh organization for a barrel full of well-handled one dollar bills. No word on the exact count, but I'm sure it was an equitable deal.
Congrats to Jason Kipnis and Drew Pomeranz on being named to the All-Star Futures Game. Part of the MLB All-Star weekend, the contest takes place July 10th at 3p with a US team taking a World team.
Cheers.
Pretty Girl 06.24.11 - Sara Jean Underwood
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Feelin' Good At the Clip Joint
 |
| Lonnie Chisenhall |
Fortunately for Indians fans, there is another side of the coin. On June 10th, top prospect Lonnie Chisenhall smacked his skull on the third base and sustained a concussion himself. After sitting him for a week, Columbus reluctantly (and retroactively) placed him on the 7-day disabled list last Friday. Some speculated that the scrutiny accompanying his projected value got to the young man as well and, perhaps, that might have had something to do with the break as well. Either way, Chisenhall (.261) returned to action last night, showing no ill effects from either affliction. As the Clippers battered the Mud Hens 13-7, for their 14th win in 15 games, the Chiz Kid put on a show for the folks of Toledo. He cranked four hits, peppering in a triple and a moon shot, scored twice and drove in six. So, I guess the guy is okay.
Better than okay? How about Luis Valbuena? Begging for a call-up and riding the highs of a 19-game hitting streak and a 7-RBI game in the past month, Luis (.307) just continues to rake the cover off of the ball. He added two more hits, including his 8th home run, last night, and raised his RBI total to 45. We all know, of course, that the kid can hit at AAA. The question is whether he has turned a corner and can (ever?) deliver consistently at the big league level. I have said it before and I will say it again -- kick Adam Everett to the curb and let Valbuena play.
Not so okay? That is your Corey Kluber. After putting together a run of worthwhile starts (4-1, 4.42) over the past month, Kluber completely forgot how to pitch yesterday. Imagine Jason Hammel's queer balk, except stretched over 3+ innings. Corey (4-4, 6.35) walked six and allowed four hits en route to surrendering six earned. Luckily his mates picked him up. Still, Kluber is clearly the rawest pitcher in the Columbus rotation. At 25, he needs to develop the ability to avoid implosions like the above if he is to progress to the next level.
The Clips finish their brief two-game series tonight with Jeanmar Gomez taking the pill at 7:05p. Since the Indians have an off day, the game is on STO.
Other Minor Points of Interest --
Despite sustaining a sixth inning blown save (does that even count?), Adam Miller did pitch reasonably well for Akron yesterday. In his 8th AA appearance Miller (1-1, 3.27) allowed two hits and a walk while fanning a pair in 1.2 innings. Barring another injury, and with Adam we never know, we will see him with the Tribe in September.
Our friend Tyler Tufts continues to impress at AA Frisco. Ty (2-1, 2.03) has thrown three straight scoreless outings, including a shutout inning last night, and has a 1.42 ERA over his last 10. Among his sterling statistics are a 1.15 WHIP, 8.78 K/9, and an incredible 8.67 K/BB. Go, man, go.
Speaking of sterling, 18-year old Indians prospect Felix Sterling's 2011 debut in the rookie league was anything but. Following up on a tremendous 2010, Felix labored through two innings, getting roughed up for four runs (3 earned) on four hits, a walk and a blast. The kid who posted 9.99 K/9 last season was nowhere to be found as he K'ed exactly no one. He is a ways off, but keep an eye.
Lastly, with Kinston and Lake County at their respective All-Star breaks, a check on the first half statistics of a few key prospects ...
LeVon Washington, OF (LC) - .209, 2 HR, 9 RBI, .622 OPS [8/9 SB]
Alex Lavisky, C (LC, MV) - .202, 8 HR, 26 RBI, .619 OPS [73 K in 208 AB]
Anthony Gallas, OF (KIN, LC) - .306, 6 HR, 28 RBI, .886 OPS [27 2B]
Drew Pomeranz (KIN) - 2-2, 1.93 ERA, .201 OBA, 1.10 WHIP, 11.42 K/9
Giovanni Soto (KIN) - 4-4, 3.02 ERA, .232 OBA, 1.18 WHIP, 9.21 K/9
Michael Goodnight (LC) - 5-5, 3.04 ERA, .191 OBA, 1.06 WHIP, 8.24 K/9
Steven Wright (COL, AKR, KIN, LC) - 2-1, 3.38 ERA, .279 OBA, 1.52 WHIP, 6.29 K/9
Rob Bryson (KIN, LC) - 0-1, 2.84 ERA, .208 OBA, 0.95 WHIP, 14.21 K/9
Bryce Stowell (LC, MV) - 0-0, 0.00 ERA [1 SV], .056 OBA, 0.50 WHIP, 10.5 K/9
Cheers
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