Game Recaps 7/7: Head's 3-run shot headlines comeback

Jerad Head (Photo: IPI)

Clippers rally and stun Toledo 6-3

The Clippers avoid a four-game losing streak with a late rally, beating Toledo 6-3. Jerad Head's three-run blast headlines the comeback on Thursday night at Huntington Park.

The win for the Clippers is the 12th in 15 games against the Mud Hens this season.

The Clippers had a golden opportunity to get on the scoreboard first. Chad Huffman led the frame off with a double down the left field line. Looking to sacrifice Huffman over, Luis Valbuena bunted a ball towards the mound. Mud Hens starter Thad Weber fielded the bunt and threw to first, but the throw was not on line as it skipped away from first baseman Ryan Strieby to put runners on 1st and third with nobody out. The next batter, Jerad Head, hit a grounder that was picked up by third baseman Danny Worth. Unfortunately for the Clippers, Huffman was coming home on the play. He ended up getting tagged out in a run down for the first out of the inning.

Tim Fedroff then grounded into what should have been an inning-ending double play had it not been for Fedroff beating it down the first base line to reach safely. A Matt McBride groundout to third ended the inning and the Clippers scoring threat was put to bed.

Unlike the Clippers, the Mud Hens were able to capitalize on a chance to get on the board first. With two outs and a runner on second, left fielder Timo Perez double to left center to bring home Argenis Diaz and give Toledo a 1-0 advantage.

The Clippers looked to even the score when they batted in the bottom of the third inning. Ezequiel Carrera reached on a line drive to right field. Carrera then stole second to get into scoring position. He would advance to third on a Jason Donald groundout to shortstop. Jason Kipnis would walk to put runners on 1st and 3rd with two outs. Chad Huffman had an opportunity to redeem himself after the base running mistake in the previous inning, but he hit a weak grounder that was easily handled by Mud Hens catcher Jeff Kunkel for the final out of the inning.

The very next inning, Ryan Strieby opened the Toledo top of the 4th with a long solo shot to left field to make it 2-0 in favor of the Mud Hens. The Clippers would avoid further damage in that inning as Ezequiel Carrera snagged a sinking liner and doubled off a runner on second to put an end to the Toledo scoring threat.

In the bottom half of the fourth, the Clippers tried once again to get on the board, but again came up empty. Jerad Head singled with one out. That was followed by a Tim Fedroff walk. Matt McBride then lined into a double play as his liner was caught by Thad Weber and flipped to Mud Hens second baseman Carlos Guillen for the last out of the frame.

The sixth inning turned out to be a rough frame for Clippers starter Corey Kluber. Back to back singles by Carlos Guillen and Ryan Strieby started off the inning for Toledo. With Jeff Salazar batting, Kluber threw a wild pitch that got past his catcher, Paul Phillips, allowing Guillen to score from third to make it 3-0 favoring the Mud Hens.

The eighth inning proved to be the rally that the Clippers were looking for all game long. Carrera led off the inning with a bunt single. That was followed by a Jason Donald walk. Jason Kipnis got the Clippers on the board with an RBI single to make it 3-1. The next batter, Chad Huffman, was hit by a pitch to load the bases with still nobody out. Luis Valbuena then hit a chopper to first. A force out at second was the only play to be made as a second run came to make it a one run ball game 3-2.

After a pitching change by Toledo, Jered Head stepped to the plate and came up big when he belted a three run shot to left field to give the Clippers a 5-3 lead. It would become 6-3 when Matt McBride knocked in Tim Fedroff with an RBI single.

The lead was more than enough for Clippers closer Josh Judy, who closed out the game for his 13th save.

The Mud Hens and Clippers will renew acquaintances tomorrow as they conclude their short two game series between one another. Brayan Villareal (0-5) will start for Toledo while Jeanmar Gomez(9-2) will take the ball for Columbus. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm.

Aeros win behind Packer’s solid outing

Left-handed pitcher Matt Packer allowed just two earned runs over seven innings of work as the Akron Aeros won the finale of a four-game series against the Altoona Curve 4-2 Thursday at Blair County Ballpark.

With the win, the Aeros (44-43) have taken three of four from Altoona.

Packer picked up the win for Akron scattering seven hits and striking out five while walking one. Right-handed pitcher Cory Burns pitched a scoreless bottom of the ninth inning to earn his league-best 23rd save of the season.

Right-hander Michael Colla suffered the loss for the Curve lasting five innings, giving up four earned runs on seven hits, walking three and striking out two.

The Aeros scored first in the top of the second inning. With one out, Raul Padron and Tyler Cannon laced back-to-back doubles to give Akron a 1-0 lead

Padron clubbed a two-run home run in the top of the third inning to give the Aeros a 3-0 lead.

Akron added a run in the top of the fifth inning. Juan Diaz led off with a walk and stole second. Beau Mills moved him to third with a single and Michel Hernandez worked a walk to load the bases. Padron followed with a sacrifice fly scoring Diaz and giving Akron a 4-0 lead.

The Curve (37-48) scored twice in the bottom of the sixth inning, but drew no closer as Akron went on to a series win.

The Aeros will head home to begin a four-game series against the Erie SeaWolves Friday. Akron will give the ball to right-handed pitcher Austin Adams, who is 5-8 with a 4.38 ERA in 2011. He will face left-handed pitcher Jay Voss, who is 4-3 with a 3.80 ERA this season. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.

Kinston rained out

Thursday night’s game between Kinston and Lynchburg was postponed because of rain. The two teams will play a double header starting at 4pm Friday afternoon at Historic Grainger Stadium.

Captains and Hot Rods Postponed on Thursday

The game on Thursday night between Lake County and Bowling Green was postponed due to wet unplayable grounds. The game will be made up on Friday night as part of doubleheader beginning at 5:35PM.

The starters for game one of the doubleheader will be RHP Mike Goodnight (5-7) for the Captains against LHP CJ Riefenhauser (5-5) for the Hot Rods. Game two’s match up will be RHP Cole Cook (3-8) against RHP Victor Mateo (8-4) for the Hot Rods.

Scrappers Top Crosscutters To End Losing Streak

Mahoning Valley scored three runs in the first inning and never relinquished the lead in an 8-2 victory over the Williamsport Crosscutters. The victory ended the Scrappers’ season-high three-game losing streak.

In the first inning, Jordan Smith doubled in a run and John Barr singled in two more to make it 3-0 Scrappers. Mahoning Valley took advantage of a Williamsport error in the inning. All three runs were unearned. The Scrappers took advantage of three Crosscutters errors in the game.

Williamsport cut the deficit to 3-2 in the top of the third inning, but the Scrappers scored a run in the fifth on a single by KC Serna and scored four more in the eighth inning.

Joseph Colon picked up the win to improve to 1-2 this season. Adam Morgan picked up the loss to fall to 0-1. The Scrappers and Crosscutters conclude their three-game series on Friday night at 7:05 pm.

Follow Tony and the Indians Prospect Insider on Twitter @TonyIPI. Also, his latest book the 2011 Cleveland Indians Top 100 Prospects & More is available for purchase for $20.95 to customers in the US (shipping and handling extra).

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