Around the Farm: August 30, 2011

Bo Greenwell

Around the Farm takes a quick look at some of yesterday's performances by Indians prospects throughout the system. The positions listed below are where the player was playing in yesterday's game.

Bo Greenwell: RF, Kinston: 0-3, 1 BB, 1 K.

Greenwell made his return to the K-Tribe last night after being placed on the DL in early June with a thumb injury. He had some loose tissue removed from it and four screws inserted in a procedure done in June in Cleveland by Dr. Tom Graham. He rehabbed all summer and recently began a rehab assignment with rookie level Arizona and went 9-for-13 at the plate in four games before returning to Kinston on Monday. The K-Tribe outfielder had been one of the more consistent offensive producers for the Indians since his call-up early in 2010. It's good to have him back for the stretch as Kinston fights for the second half title.

• Trevor Crowe: RF, Columbus: 1-4, SB (1): Welcome back, Mr. Crowe. Trevor Crowe began his rehab assignment in Columbus after missing the entire season thanks to offseason shoulder surgery. Didn't take him very long to show off his plus speed, did it?
• Chad Huffman: LF, Columbus: 1-3, 1 R, 1 2B: Columbus had two hits, and Crowe and Huffman had them both. Huffman has been hot of late, going 4-for-10 in his last three games, and hitting .303 over his last ten.
• Joe Martinez: SP, Columbus: L (8-8), 7 IP, 8 H, 2 R/ER, 7 K: With every reliable starter in Columbus seemingly making an appearance in Cleveland during this stretch run, Columbus finds itself relying on their more "fringe-starters" for quality appearances. Martinez put together a gem last night, and is his second quality start in a row.
• Chen Lee: RP, Columbus: 1 IP, 1 BB: Lee has regained his footing with his fourth straight shutout appearance. During the stretch, he's gone four innings, giving up only two hits and two walks, while striking out five.
• Chun Chen: C, Akron: 1-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K: Every home run Chen hits for the remainder of the season is a new season record for the heavy-hitting catcher, who now has 15 on the season. He's been struggling of late, hitting only .200 over the past ten, but has a current three game hit streak, and is 6-for-15 over his last five games.
• John Drennen: LF, Akron: 3-for-4: Drennen had been mired in a six-game hitless streak, but has hits in three of his last four, with the only game he didn't get a hit in being a game in which he was a pinch-runner. He's hitting a solid .264 against right-handers this year, but only .178 against lefties.
• Brett Brach: SP, Akron: L (1-2), 6 H, 4 R/ER, 4 BB, 1 HR: Brach was outstanding in five of his six innings. Unfortunately, he gave up four runs in the second inning, which destroyed his day, and gave him the loss.
• Bryan Price: RP, Akron: 2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 1 K: Price was on a ten inning scoreless streak until last night. Price's issues are against lefties, who are hitting a hefty .342 against him. Righties are only hitting .209 against him, and against whom Price showcases a 1.99 ERA.
• Rob Bryson: RP, Akron: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 K: Bryson continued his climb to the top of the organization with another solid outing. To make the final push to the bigs, he's got to improve his 6.43 ERA against left-handed hitters.
• Casey Frawley: SS, Kinston: 1-2, 1 R, 2 BB: Frawley has been a much better player in August, and has hits in seven of his last ten games.
• Tyler Cannon: PH, Kinston: 1-1, game winning RBI: Cannon celebrated his 24th birthday with a pinch-hit, walk-off base hit to give the K-Tribe a much needed victory, as they remain 1 game behind first-place Winston-Salem in their quest for one last playoff run in the city of Kinston.
• Marty Popham: SP, Kinston: 4 IP, 4 K: Popham was absolutely outstanding in his four innings of work, but was working in a piggy-back situation with the returning Giovanni Soto. It looks like perfection wasn't good enough to keep Popham on the field.
• Giovanni Soto: RP, Kinston: 2 IP, 1 BB, 3 K: Soto made his second appearance since an injury kept him off the field since June. He gave up only a walk, while striking out three of the seven batters he faced.
• Chris Jones: RP, Kinston: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K: Jones blew the save opportunity, but pitched a solid two innings overall to get the win.
• Lake County: There's nothing to get the blood boiling like a bench-clearing brawl. Felix Sterling hit Yazy Arbelo with an off-speed pitch in the second inning, which prompted Arbelo to charge the mound, throwing his helmet at the pitcher. Alex Monsalve made the save, but not before the benches cleared. Pitching coach Jeff Harris was ejected.
• Levon Washington: LF, Lake County: 0-5, 3 K. It has not been a very triumphant return from the disabled list for Washington. In his last 10 games he is just 2-for-35 with 13 strikeouts.
• Alex Monsalve: C, Lake County: 0-5, 4 K. The Golden Sombrero for Monsalve. He is having a tough August hitting .177/.261/.215 and looks tired in his first full pro season.
• Ronnie Rodriguez: SS, Lake County: 2-4, R, RBI, K. Ronnie-Rod's plate discipline is a work in progress, but he has 8 walks in 29 August games and had only 4 walks in 63 games prior.
• Joey Mahalic: RP, Lake County: 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 BB, 0 K. Mahalic came on in relief of Sterling who was ejected in the 2nd inning and had his best outing of the season and in a long time.
• Kyle Blair: RP, Lake County: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K. Now his 7th outing covering 14.0 innings since his return from a knee injury and has allowed just two earned runs.
• Bryson Myles: CF, Mahoning Valley: 1-4, BB, 3 K, SB. Myles is putting the finishing touches to a successful pro debut showing good ability with the bat and speed on the bases.
• Francisco Lindor: SS, Mahoning Valley: 0-3, R, K. After a day off on Monday, Lindor played in his second pro game on Tuesday and went hitless. He is still being built back up so was removed late in the game.
• Tony Wolters: DH, Mahoning Valley: 0-for-4, R, 3 K. Wolters is having a great first full season, but is showing signs of wear down the stretch as in his last 5 games he is 4-for-19 with 9 strikeouts.
• Nate Striz: RP, Mahoning Valley: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K. A much better outing for Striz who in his 4 prior outings went 11.2 innings and allowed 10 runs on 18 hits and 9 walks (yuck).

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). Use discount code 2Z6F362B to receive 40% off the book through the site store!

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Sarbaugh named Manager of the Year

Mike Sarbaugh (Photo: IPI)

The International League announced on Tuesday that Triple-A Columbus manager Mike Sarbaugh was named the 2011 IL Manager of the Year. His team recently clinched a playoff berth and will look to defend their 2010 IL title. Columbus has been the most dominant team in the league this year and has the best record in the League at 85-53.

This is yet another trophy to add to Sarbaugh's achievements in his minor league managerial career. Over the course of his eight-year managerial career he has won league championships in 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2010, and he was named the Carolina League Manager of the Year in 2007 as well as the Baseball America Minor League Manager of the Year in 2010.

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). Use discount code 2Z6F362B to receive 40% off the book through the site store!

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Game Recaps 8/30: Captains brawl their way to win

Felix Sterling (Photo: IPI)

Bench clearing brawl sparks Captains 4-3 win in 11

Lake County scored two runs in the top off eleventh inning on Tuesday night defeating South Bend 4-3. The Captains snapped an eight game losing streak with the win.

In the first inning, Giovanny Urshela doubled down the right field line scoring LeVon Washington giving Lake County a 1-0 lead. With Luigi Rodriguez on third, Ronny Rodriguez hit a sacrifice fly to center to make it 2-0.

In the second, Felix Sterling hit the Hawks’ Yazy Arbelo with an off-speed pitch. Arbelo charged the mound and threw his helmet at Sterling before being wrapped up by Captains catcher Alex Monsalve. The benches cleared and the coaches had to separate the two clubs. Arbelo was tossed immediately and after a long discussion the umpires ejected Sterling. Lake County pitching coach Jeff Harris was irate and was ejected for arguing with home plate umpire Billy Cunha.

The Silver Hawks scored a run in the bottom of the second inning after the melee on a sacrifice fly by Gerson Montilla to make it 2-1.

South Bend tied the game up in the bottom of the ninth. Raywilly Gomez and Ramon Castillo reached on back to back hits putting runners on first and third. A double play ball scored Gomez third to send it into extras.

Captains’ infielder Ronny Rodriguez singled to start the eleventh. Carlos Moncrief walked to put runners on first and second. With one out, Chase Burnette grounded to second to move the runners over. A wild pitch to Nick Bartolone scored Rodriguez from third. Then Bartolone delivered a single to right to score Moncrief and Lake took a 4-2 lead.

Dale Dickerson (3-3) picked up the win despite blowing the save, going two innings allowing two runs on two hits, walking three. Kyle Petter worked an innings and struck out a batter for his second save of the season. Jeremy Erben (3-3) took the loss allowing two runs on three hits, walking one and striking out three. Joey Mahalic was huge in relief for the Captains tossing five scoreless innings allowing just one hit and walking two.

Lake County returns home for the final home stand of the season and will host West Michigan Wednesday night at 7:00PM. The Captains will start RHP Danny Salazar (0-1) against LHP Brian Flynn (6-2) for the WhiteCaps.

Bats push past Clippers

Louisville won a pitcher's duelover the Clippers 2-1 at Slugger Field Tuesday night.

It would be the Bats getting on the board first in the bottom of the fourth. Chris Valaika and Juan Francisco started off the inning with back-to-back singles. After a Devin Mesoraco flyout to right, Jeremy Hermida singled to left field, driving in Valaika to give Louisville a 1-0 lead. Joe Martinez got Danny Dorn to ground out to 1st base and Mike Costanzo to ground out to second to end the Bats scoring threat.

The Clippers would come right back in the top of the fifth. Chad Huffman led off the inning with a double off of the left field wall. After Huffman advanced to third on a Beau Mills flyout to center, Luke Carlin came to the plate determined to drive in the runner at third anyway he could. He put the ball in play in the form of a grounder to third. Bats third baseman Mike Constanzo threw home to try to get Huffman at the plate, but Huffman was called safe as the Clippers got the benefit of the doubt on a close play at home plate. The fielder's choice allowed Columbus to tie the contest at 1-1.

In the bottom half of the 5th, the Bats would snatch back the lead. Jose Castro singled on a line drive to center. Two batters later, Chris Valaika singled to left field. The next batter, Juan Francisco, hit a single of his own to right field, driving in Valaika and helping Louisville regain the lead 2-1.

After the fifth inning, Matt Maloney continued his dominance on the mound, pitching eight innings while striking out three and only allowing the one run scored in the top of the fifth inning. Joe Martinez was not too shabby for Columbus as he struck out seven in seven innings of two run, 8 hit baseball. Unfortunately for Columbus, they only managed two base runners and one hit in the final four innings of play as Louisville won 2-1.

Four-run second does in Aeros

Right-handed pitcher Brett Brach allowed four runs in the top of the second inning as the Akron Aeros lost game two of a four-game series against the Reading Phillies 7-1 Tuesday at Canal Park.

Brach suffered the loss for Akron pitching six innings, giving up six hits and walking four while striking out none.

Right-hander Austin Hyatt recorded the win for Reading tossing six innings, allowing one earned run on seven hits and striking out eight while walking one.

Matt Rizzotti led off the second with a solo home run to give the R-Phils (69-67) a 1-0 lead. Derrick Mitchell followed with a single and advanced to second on a John Suomi walk. Mitchell and Suomi pulled off a double steal to move to second and third. Mitchell scored on a Tuffy Gosewisch double to make it 2-0. Later in the frame, Steve Singleton rapped a two-RBI single to increase the lead to 4-0.

Chun Chen hit a solo home run in the home half of the second to cut the Reading lead to 4-1.

It remained 4-1 until Rizzotti hit his second solo shot of the game in the top of the eighth inning to make it 5-1. Reading added two more runs in the inning and went on to the win.

The Aeros (69-67) and R-Phils play game three of this four-game set on Thursday. Akron will give the ball to right-handed pitcher Steve Wright, who is 2-3 with a 5.66 ERA in 2011. He will face fellow right-hander Tyson Brummett, who is 3-8 with a 4.69 ERA this season. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.

Kinston gets a walkoff 2-1 win

The Kinston Indians ushered in the final home stand of 2011 in dramatic fashion Tuesday night, beating the Keys 2-1 in walk off fashion at Historic Grainger Stadium.

Marty Popham was cruising early, retiring the first 12 men he faced in a perfect first four innings. With two outs in the fourth, however, his night came to a close. Popham was drilled in the left leg on a comebacker to the mound off the bat of short stop Manny Machado. Popham finished the play to end the inning but never returned.

The Indians snapped the scoreless tie in the seventh. Keys starter Scott Copeland started the inning and with one out, gave up a single and walked a man before departing. Reliever Justin Moore did not offer much help, walking the bases full and walking in the K-Tribe’s first run before getting a fluke double play to end the inning. A squeeze bunt attempt went bad for Kinston. Argenis Martinez popped the bunt to Moore, who caught the ball, turned and fired to third to double off Casey Frawley, who was moving on the play.

Kinston’s Trey Haley entered in the eighth for his second inning of work and gave up a single to leadoff man Miguel Abreu. Haley was promptly pulled for lefty Chris Jones. Jones could not get out of the inning before allowing an rbi double from Brian Ward to tie the game. The K-Tribe was held scorless by Frederick’s Ashur Tolliver in the eighth. Tolliver would not benefit from the same luck in the ninth.

Casey Frawley began the frame by singling. Justin Toole promptly laid a sacrifice bunt down in front of the mound and saw Tolliver opt to try to get Frawley at second. Frawley slid in safely on a close play, leaving the Keys defense without a play at first. Roberto Perez drew a walk and with the bases loaded Tyler Cannon came to the plate in a pinch hitting role for Argenis Martinez. Cannon drew a 2-2 count before lacing the game winner, a deep drive to center field that easily cleared a drawn in outfield.

Chris Jones picked up the victory with two innings of one hit baseball.

The K-Tribe gained a half game on Winston-Salem to draw within one game of the idle first place Dash.

Game two in the final four game home series in Kinston’s regular season starts Wednesday night at 6:30 pm.

Scrappers lose, playoff chances all but gone

Mahoning Valley lost 4-2 on Tuesday night to Williamsport, and the setback to the team directly in front of them in the wildcard hunt probably ends all chances for the Scrappers to make the playoffs. With just five games to play they are 3.5 games behind co-wildcard leaders Brooklyn and Williamsport.

Joseph Colon struggled and went just four innings and allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits, three walks, and five strikeouts. The combination of Nate Striz and Harold Guerrero tried to keep the Scrappers in it with very good relief as they combined to throw four shutout innings.

Once again the lineup struggled as only John Barr had a multi-hit game, and the lineup as a whole had struck out 13 times.

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). Use discount code 2Z6F362B to receive 40% off the book through the site store!

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What is this team capable of?

Asdrubal Cabrera (Photo: AP)

Ezequiel Carrera, Jerad Head, Jason Donald, Jack Hannahan and Shelley Duncan.

If I told you in April that these five players would start in the last week of August for an Indians team that was still in contention for the AL Central crown, would you have believed me?

Matt LaPorta, Chris Perez, Travis Hafner, Grady Sizemore and Shin-Soo Choo.

If I told you that Carrera, Head, Donald, Hannahan and Duncan were starting, and that LaPorta, Perez, Hafner, Sizemore and Choo have all struggled with injuries and/or performance issues for a good chunk of the season, would you have believed the Indians were still in contention?

The obvious answer, of course, is no. But the reality is, despite all their offensive struggles, this team is still a legitimate contender (albeit in an extremely weak division). Despite the inconsistent offense, and the tremendous spate of injuries the Tribe has suffered, it’s almost September, and the Indians are still in the playoff hunt. I don’t know if resilience is the word, but it’s the first word that comes to mind.

LaPorta, Hafner, Sizemore, Choo, Donald, Michael Brantley, Jason Kipnis, Carlos Carrasco, Josh Tomlin, Fausto Carmona, Mitch Talbot and Alex White have all missed time (many more than once) due to injuries.

Go ahead and compare these lineups. What we were expecting the lineup to be next month, compared to the lineup that Manny Acta will most likely field.

Projected September Lineup LF Brantley CF Sizemore RF Choo 1B LaPorta 2B Kipnis SS Cabrera 3B Chisenhall C Santana DH Hafner	Real September Lineup LF Head CF Carrera RF Fukudome 1B Santana/LaPorta 2B Donald/Phelps SS Cabrera 3B Hannahan C Santana/Marson DH Thome/Duncan
Projected September Rotation Masterson Carmona Tomlin Carrasco White	Real September Rotation Masterson Jimenez Carmona Huff Gomez

As you can see, not a single one of the projected outfielders is still available. The only infielder who still remains a regular is Cabrera; and only Masterson and Carmona are still toeing the slab every five days in the rotation. Every team suffers injuries, but this level of injuries is absurd. The only thing more absurd is that this team is still winning games and still in the hunt.

When the season started, we all knew that if everything went according to plan, by this point in the year we would be getting used to seeing Chisenhall, White and maybe even Kipnis playing everyday for the Tribe. But what we didn’t know is that when the Indians suddenly found themselves in contention they would push the envelope on these prospects, bringing up White and Chisenhall earlier than expected and then Kipnis after weeks of the organization telling us that Orlando Cabrera was the answer.

We also never expected that Kipnis would quickly catch fire, and just as quickly come up lame. The Chiz would struggle and then be replaced by a red-hot Hannahan. Zeke Carrera would bring us off our couches in excitement, and in anger. LaPorta’s ineffectiveness would render him almost unplayable and this, coupled with Santana’s laziness behind the plate, would provide Lou Marson a real opportunity for playing time. Donald would finally arrive in the majors in August, and actually hold his own. Indians GM Chris Antonetti would push all his chips to the center of the table by trading for Ubaldo Jimenez. Kosuke Fukodome would roam center field. Jerad Head would finally get his chance and Jim Thome would don the feather once again.

Of course the fact that no one could predict any of this is what has made this season so exciting. Sure watching a young team developing on the fly can be frustrating, but it can also be electrifying (just think of Zeke scoring from first against the A’s Monday night). When someone is developing before your eyes, you never know what you’re going to see, because you have no idea what they are really capable of.

And that’s just it. What is this team capable of? No one knows. Sure we could sit back and dream about a healthy team next year – but what about this team? This team that has battled for 131 games. This team that, despite all the injuries and all the setbacks, despite all the players on the I-71 shuttle and despite the lack of national media attention, this team that refuses to give up, refuses to count itself out.

What is this team capable of? No one knows, but I sure am excited to find out.

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). Use discount code 2Z6F362B to receive 40% off the book through the site store!

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Trevor Crowe active in Columbus

Trevor Crowe

Indians outfielder Trevor Crowe has been reassigned in his rehab assignment to Triple-A Columbus. He is recovering from shoulder surgery on March 30th and was recently playing in games for rookie level Arizona. In six games for Arizona he hit .444 (8-for-18) with 3 doubles, 1 triple, 2 home runs, 8 RBI and 9 runs scored. He is expected to be in the Columbus lineup tonight and probably will remain with the team for the duration of the playoffs.

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). Use discount code 2Z6F362B to receive 40% off the book through the site store!

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Akron Air Raid: Down to the Wire

(MILB.com/Akron Aeros)

The Aeros are still in it. They have a slight chance at taking the Western Division's Wild Card spot, but they remain four and a half games behind Bowie for that playoff spot.

Akron will need to get a lot of luck and win a vast majority of the seven games left. It will be an uphill battle, but they are still playing for something at least.

It's been a few weeks since an Akron Air Raid, so let's refresh things and get to work as the season winds down. There's just a little over a week left of action before the minor league regular season winds down.

Latest Landings: @ Bowie (1-2), Vs Richmond (2-2)

Future Itinerary: Vs Reading (4), @ Harrisburg (4)

As it Stands: Akron is currently in third place in the Eastern League Western Division and 8 games back of first place. With eight games left, they can no longer win the Western division but stand 3.5 games back of Bowie for the Wild Card spot. 

On the Mound

Austin Adams continues to put together a great season and has really established himself as the headliner of this Aeros rotation. The right-hander from Alabama picked up two more victories to improve to 11-10 on the season and now has a 3.77 ERA over 26 starts. He struck out seven in one game last week and six in another to bring his season strikeout total to 131, good enough for fifth in the Eastern League.

Teammate Matt Packer is eighth in the EL in strikeouts with 121 after he picked up just two in a loss last week. The only other pitcher to pick up a win was Steven Wright, who found his way into a win after giving up five runs off eight hits and five walks in six-plus innings.

T.J. McFarland received a no-decision after going six frames and giving up just one earned run off seven hits and four walks.

This past week's lines:

Austin Adams

W, 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K
W, 5 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 6 K

Brett Brach
L, 5.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R (2 ER), 3 BB, 4 K

T.J. McFarland
6 IP, 7 H, 2 R (1 ER), 4 BB, 3 K

Matt Packer
L, 6 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 2 K

Steven Wright
W, 6.2 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 BB, 6 K

From the 'Pen

The bullpen had a new face, left-hander Kelvin De La Cruz, in the mix as he returns from the disabled list. De La Cruz has not given up a run in his four appearances and even recorded a save on Sunday against Richmond.

Cory Burns continues to pad his Akron Aeros franchise record of saves with a pair, but he did take the loss in a contest

Bryce Stowell was busy and he ended up striking out five hitters and walking two over the course of four-plus innings. Stowell has now pitched in ten game since arriving in Akron, carrying a 2.45 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 14 innings.

Finally, Adam Miller did not pitch this past week. He last pitched August 20th against Richmond when he gave up a pair of earned runs off three hits and two walks. 

Relievers for this past week:

Rob Bryson

4.1 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 4 K

Cory Burns

2 SV, 0-1, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K

Kelvin De La Cruz
1 SV, 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K

Adam Miller

Has not pitched

Bryan Price
2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Bryce Stowell

4.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K

Tyler Sturdevant

2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K

Swinging Sticks

More of the same from the Aeros as they continue to look for some answers offensively. Michel Henandez didn't have many hits, but he did knock in some runs. It was a rather pedestrian week all around.

One highlight was the 10 walks that John Drennen accumulated over his 26 plate-appearances this past week. He only had two hits, but he knocked in three runs and scored four times. Certainly productive in some way. Drennen has hit .225 in August, following up a .190 average in July. He's hit two home runs and knocked in 20 runs since returning from suspension, but is carrying a .353 OBP this entire season in 77 games.

Juan Diaz continues to be steadily decent for the Aeros' lineup. He collected seven hits and scored five runs this past week. Diaz hasn't put up mind-blowing numbers this year, but he is hitting .256 with eight home runs and 23 doubles. He strikes out quite a bit, but he is a decent piece to the Aeros lineup and if he had more production around him, he'd look a lot better.

Chun Chen continues to very up-and-down with the bat. He has good games, such a 3-for-4 night against Richmond, and bad ones. From August 20th to the 27th he struck out once in every game. He now has 111 on the year compared to 40 walks, but he has hit 14 home runs and knocked in 63 RBI.

The hitting lines:

Cristo Arnal
2-19, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K

Kyle Bellows

2-19, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K

Chun Chen

5-24, 1 RBI, 3 R, 6 BB, 6 K

Juan Diaz

7-23, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 5 R, 1 BB, 3 K

John Drennen

2-16, 3 RBI, 4 R, 10 BB, 5 K

Jordan Henry

5-20, 2 R, 2 BB

Michel Hernandez
3-18, 1 HR, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R, 6 BB, 4 K

Raul Padron

5-15, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Donnie Webb
1-18, 3 RBI, 1 R, 5 K

Additional Notes

The rash of injuries to Cleveland has obviously forced the likes of Jerad Head up to the parent club, which means Columbus needs some bodies. That prompted the promotion of Ben Copeland to Columbus. With Akron, Copeland hit .265 with six home runs and 26 RBI. He was a real boost to a depleted outfield earlier this year as a free agent addition. He was 1-for-4 in his Clipper debut on Sunday.

The Aeros are a score first or suffer the consequences type of a team this year. They are a remarkable 50-15 when scoring first, however are 18-51 when the other team scores first. They've had good success against Bowie (11-6) and Altoona (11-9), but have especially struggled against Erie (9-10). 

In the Garage

Health! The Aeros are pretty much as healthy as you can ask for a team at this point. They just returned Juan Apodaca from the disabled list and don't really have any other big injuries hampering them. Nick Weglarz is still on the disabled list, but other than that, the Aeros are as healthy as you can ask for a team to be.

Transaction Report

Aug 23: C Juan Apodaca activated from Disabled List

Aug 28: OF Ben Copeland sent to Columbus

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Nino covers the Akron Aeros season-long here at the IPI. He has his own blog at The Tribe Daily and you can follow him on Twitter @TheTribeDaily.

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Game Recaps 8/29: Packer strong again in Akron win

Matt Packer (Photo: Lianna Holub)

Five-run first leads Packer, Aeros to win

The Akron Aeros brought nine men to the plate and scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning to erase a three-run deficit as they went on to win game one of a four-game series against the Reading Phillies 6-4 Monday at Canal Park.

Left-handed pitcher Matt Packer recorded the win for Akron tossing eight plus innings, allowing four earned runs on six hits, walking two and striking out four. Right-handed pitcher Cory Burns got out of a jam in the top of the ninth inning to earn his league best 34th save of 2011.

Right-hander Joseph Esposito allowed all five runs in the top of the first inning and suffered the loss for Reading retiring just three batters, giving up six hits and striking out one while walking none.

The R-Phils (68-67) took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a Matt Rizzotti RBI ground out and a Derrick Mitchell two-RBI single.

After the three-run first inning, Packer retired 18 straight batters from the second inning through the seventh and allowed just one more run.

The Aeros (69-66) answered in the bottom of the frame. Jordan Henry and Cristo Arnal opened the inning with back-to-back singles. Juan Diaz tripled them home to cut the Reading lead to 3-2. Chun Chen followed with an RBI single to tie the game 3-3. Following a Michel Hernandez single and a Kyle Bellows ground out, Raul Padron rapped a two RBI single to right field to break the tie and give the Aeros a 5-3 lead.

Padron doubled home Bellows in his next at bat in the bottom of the third inning to increase the lead to 6-3.

Reading scored a run in the top of the ninth inning, but Burns shut the door to give Akron the win.

The Aeros and R-Phils will continue their four-game series on Tuesday. Akron will give the ball to right-handed pitcher Brett Brach, who is 1-1 with a 3.31 ERA in 2011. He will face fellow right-hander Austin Hyatt, who is 11-6 with a 3.87 ERA this season. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.

Columbus hammers Louisville 11-2

The Clippers sent 13 batters to the plate in the first inning and cruised to an 11-2 win over the Louisville Bats.

In Sunday's victory over the Bats, the Clippers scored six runs in the second inning. They continued hammering the Louisville pitching staff, following that up with an eight run outburst in the first Monday.

Nick Johnson and Beau Mills hit RBI singles in the inning to drive in the first two. Paul Phillips then drove in a run by grounding into a force out. Ben Copeland hit an RBI triple, Tim Fedroff drove in one with a single and Jared Goedert doubled home one to cap off the eight run inning.

Luis Valbuena's RBI single in the fifth and Phillips - who drove in one and came around to score on a wild pitch in the sixth - added the other three Clippers runs.

Starter Mitch Talbot hardly needed 11 runs of support. He went seven innings, struck out six and allowed two runs to pick up his third win of the year. Talbot's counterpart - Daryl Thompson - went only 0.2 innings, surrendering up five earned runs on seven hits to fall to 3-3 on the year.

Matt Langwell and Eric Berger combined to go two scoreless innings in relief of Talbot.

After the Clippers took two at Huntington Park, the teams meet again for a two-game set at Slugger Field in Louisville starting Tuesday at 7:05. Joe Martinez (8-7, 3.94) and Matt Maloney (6-1, 3.19) are the scheduled starters.

K-Tribe lets one slip away in 3-2 loss

The Kinston Indians fell victim to late home runs in Monday's 3-2 loss in Lynchburg, VA.

One second inning run was all Kinston starting pitcher Francisco Jimenez allowed. After seeing five base runners reach against him in the first two innings, Jimenez became untouchable, setting down the last 13 batters he faced in order. Jimenez departed with a one run lead, finishing without a decision.

Kinston's 2-1 advantage was erased in the seventh. Barrett Kleinknect and Geraldo Rodriguez hit back-to-back home runs to start the relief appearance of Kyle Landis. Landis settled in, giving up just one other hit in his two inning relief performance. Landis picked up the loss, his second of the year.

Kinston is scheduled to begin its final home stand of the season Tuesday night against the Frederick Keys. The series will run Tuesday through Friday, all contests to start at 6:30 pm.

Hawks walk off with 2-1 win

Dale Dickerson hit Roberto Ortiz with a pitch, with the bases loaded, in the bottom of the ninth inning, sending South Bend to a 2-1 win over Lake County. The Captains dropped their eighth straight game.

Lake County took a 1-0 lead on a Kevin Fontanez sacrifice fly to centerfield scoring Brian Heere in the fourth inning.

The Hawks tied the game in the fifth on Ender Inciarte’s fielder’s choice hit to short scoring Jhoan Pimentel.

Eury De La Rosa (1-0) picked up the win working a perfect ninth inning, striking out one. Dale Dickerson (2-3) took the loss, allowing a run on two hits, just a third of an inning. Mike Goodnight settled for a no-decision allowing a run on three hits, walking two and striking out five, in five innings of work.

Lake County wraps up the road trip against South Bend at The Cove on Tuesday night at 6:30PM. The Captains start RHP Felix Sterling (2-3) against RHP JR Bradley (5-15) for the Silver Hawks.

Scrappers lose heartbreaker in 14 innings, 4-3

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers suffered a crippling loss in extra innings on Monday night when they lost to Williamsport 4-3 in 14 innings. The loss hurts not only because there is less than a week left in the season, but also because Williamsport is the team directly ahead of them in the wildcard race. They are now 2.5 games behind Williamsport with six days remaining in the season.

Robert Nixon got the start and went five solid innings allowing two runs on seven hits, two walks and had three strikeouts. From there the bullpen combination of Josh McKeon, Drew Rucinski, Enosil Tejeda, and Tony Dischler combined to shut down Williamsport over eight innings of work allowing just one run on three hits, two walks, and had eight strikeouts. Will Krasne came on in the 14th inning and served up the winning run and was pinned with the loss.

At the plate the Scrappers struggled all night as they managed just five hits over 14 innings, though did draw seven walks. No one had a multi-hit game or a good game in particular, but infielder KC Serna hit what was at the time a big solo home run with one out in the ninth inning to tie the game at three and send it into extra.

The two teams square off again tonight at 7:05 p.m. before shifting the series back Mahoning Valley. It is easy to say that these next three games against Williamsport are all must wins if the Scrappers envision making the playoffs.

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). Use discount code 2Z6F362B to receive 40% off the book through the site store!

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Sailing with the Clippers - August 22nd through August 28th

Sailing with the Clippers is a weekly Monday morning (evening this week, and this week only) installment that explores the week that was for Triple-A Columbus.

Pitching was the name of the game this week for the Clippers. From Tuesday on, there was nothing but great starts from the rotation. It resulted in a number of close games, including four straight one-run affairs. The offense did not follow suit, however, as the team only scored 18 total runs. Jared Goedert was responsible for exactly half of them, driving in nine. Still, the pitching was strong enough to win four of the seven games. With Tuesday's win and a little assistance, the team punched their ticket to the postseason. Josh Judy, Zach McAllister and Nick Hagadone were all called up to Cleveland and optioned back down within the week. Hagadone, along with Jerad Head, received their very first Major League promotions.

Game-by-game results

Monday (lost, 6-4): Monday's game played like many from the week before, but it would not be a sign of things to come. The Bisons got to Jeanmar Gomez early in the third game of this four-game series, but both runs were unearned because of a two-out, no one on error. The Clippers responded in the bottom half of that second inning, as Jared Goedert sent a solo home run out. In the next inning, hits from Tim Fedroff and Travis Buck gave Columbus a 3-2 lead. Gomez was not able to sustain that lead, however. Buffalo came right back with a crooked number of their own, three, and took control right back. A Cord Phelps homer in the fifth cut the lead to 5-4. Once again, the Bisons answered a Clippers run immediately, this time matching one with one. Neither team scored again. Columbus put two runners on in three of the final four innings, but were unable to get any of them across. In Gomez' six innings, he surrounded seven hits, walked four and struck out six. Matt Langwell and Chen Lee combined for three scoreless innings in relief, striking out two apiece.

Tuesday (won, 5-0): After pitching out of the bullpen four days prior, Paolo Espino was back to starting in the finale against Buffalo. His performance seemingly set the pace for fellow Clippers starters to come. He was staked to a quick lead when Jared Goedert delivered an early home run for a second consecutive game. The lead was extended to two, when in the fourth inning, Jerad Head came through a solo shot of his own. Espino left after seven innings with a two-run lead in hand, allowing zero runs on two hits, walking zero and striking out seven. If not for his continual transition from starter to reliever and back, he certainly would have surpassed the 79 pitches that he threw. In the bottom of the seventh, a two-run Cord Phelps blast built the lead to 4-0. Nick Hagadone came on to work a clean eighth. Paul Phillips tacked on one more run with a knock in the bottom half. Josh Judy followed Hagadone's perfect inning with one of his own to finish what was a great all-around effort. With this win and an eventual Indianapolis loss later in the night, the Clippers officially clinched a playoff berth.

Wednesday (won, 2-1): Much like Paolo Espino, Mitch Talbot has also been in between pitching roles. His has been more defined lately, as he made his third straight start on Wednesday. The previous two were both ones to forget, but he changed his fortune in this game. Also like Espino, Jared Goedert gave Talbot a one-run lead after one inning, this time with a sacrifice fly. Luis Valbuena followed suit with one of his own in the fifth inning, making it 2-0, Columbus. Though he dealt with slightly more traffic on the bases, Talbot matched Espino's seven scoreless innings. He gave up four hits and two walks, while punching out eight. Zach Putnam spelled Talbot, and ran into trouble. Three straight one-out singles got Indianapolis on the board, but he was able to retire the next two without conflict. Josh Judy, on for save number 22, also put himself in a tight spot. After recording the first out, he walked two straight. A groundout put both the tying and winning runs in scoring position, but Judy collected the final out, lead still in tact. Travis Buck was responsible for three of the team's seven hits, already the second time this week he had done so.

Thursday (lost, 3-2): Game two of this four-game home and home series with Indianapolis was another pitching duel. Joe Martinez took the mound Thursday, and he continued the trend. Scoring kicked off in the fourth inning, and in dramatic fashion. With Chad Huffman on third, Argenis Reyes put down a successful squeeze bunt; 1-0, Clippers. Reyes came through again in the seventh inning, this time in a very different way. He deposited his first home run of the season. Into the eighth inning, Martinez was working on a one-hit shutout. After retiring the first batter of the eighth, he was hit for three straight singles, putting the score at 2-1. Chen Lee came into the game with runners on first and second and one out, but got through the inning unscathed. The Clips threatened in the ninth, but could not scratch. Because Josh Judy had pitched in two straight games, Nick Hagadone was handed closing duties for the day. The inning began with an error by Nick Johnson. Hagadone retired the next two, which should have been outs two and three, but the game went on. The next batter doubled, putting runners on second and third in this one-run game. After a pinch runner was inserted at second, Hagadone gave up the game-winner, a single that scored both Indians. Martinez' final line: 7.1 innings, four hits, one run, one walk and five strikeouts.

Friday (lost, 2-1): As the series traveled to Columbus, the Clippers looked to Corey Kluber to maintain a stretch of incredible starting pitching. This game was another duel. Kluber faced the minimum through four innings, handing out just one hit. In the fifth, he let four straight Indians reach to start the inning, resulting in two runs. He got out of the inning, and went on to work two more scoreless. He left after seven, surrendering two runs on three hits, with two walks and seven strikeouts. Matt Langwell got himself into a bases loaded situation in the eighth, but worked his way out of it. The Clips finally got on the board in the eighth, courtesy of a Nick Johnson double. Josh Judy handled Indianapolis in the top of the ninth. Down 2-1, Columbus needed to piece a rally together, somehow. They did, and it looked like the game was going to be tied on a Tim Fedroff single. With two on by way of walks, Fedroff came up with one out and delivered a base hit into center field. Luke Carlin attempted to score from second, but was canned at the plate. The Clippers still had two on, but were unable to get the tying run across. In all, the team stranded 11 runners.

Saturday (won, 4-3): On just three days rest, Paolo Espino was summoned once again. Short rest was all that stood in his way. He made it through four innings, allowing just one hit, and notching six strikeouts. In the bottom half of the fourth, the Clippers' lineup came alive. Three singles set up a bases loaded, two-out, three-run double from Jared Goedert. Eric Berger came on next for Columbus, and struck out the side in the fifth. The next inning was not as kind to him. After walking the first two Indians, he ordered up a crucial double play. After that, a couple of hits got Indianapolis on the board, and Berger out of the game. Zach Putnam came on with runners at the corners. A single and a wild pitch allowed Indianapolis to tie the game, both runs charged to Berger. Putnam created his own jam in the seventh, but escaped, the score remaining 3-3. It remained that way until the bottom of the ninth. Jared Goedert walked, Jerad Head hit a ground run double, and after Nick Johnson was intentionally walked, a pitcher named Jared Hughes entered the game. With the bases loaded and one out, Beau Mills hit a fly ball to center field, one deep enough for Goedert to score. Chen Lee, who relieved Putnam for the last out of the eighth and stayed on for the ninth, picked up the win.

Sunday (won, 8-5): The final game of the week, game one of a home and home series with the Louisville Bats, was nothing like the six before it, offensively. Zach McAllister did, however, maintain the starting pitching status quo. The difference for him, though, was the six-run lead he was given in the second inning. The frame featured a single, a walk, a run-scoring groundout, two doubles, two home runs (by Argenis Reyes and Jared Goedert) and two wild pitches. The Bats immediately got two runs back in the third. Two innings later, the Clippers put up a two of their own, by way of a Beau Mills bomb. An unearned run in the sixth cut Columbus' lead to 8-3. McAllister's day was done after six. He gave up two earned runs on four hits, walked three and struck out nine, concluding a week of masterful starting pitching. Nick Hagadone replaced him, serving up a two-run homer in the seventh, and pitching a scoreless eighth. Josh Judy came on for the save in this three-run game, and made short work of Louisville. Only Nick Johnson and Luke Carlin (who only had one at-bat before leaving the game) were without hits. Tim Fedroff extended his hit-streak to seven; Luis Valbuena, six.

Individual statistics

Jared Goedert: 8-27, 4 runs scored, 2 doubles, 3 home runs, 9 runs batted in, 3 walks
Argenis Reyes: 9-25, 3 runs scored, 2 home runs, 3 runs batted in
Jerad Head: 7-19, 1 run scored, 1 double, 1 triple, 1 home run, 1 run batted in
Luis Valbuena: 7-19, 3 runs scored, 1 double, 1 run batted in, 3 walks

Paolo Espino: 2 starts, 1 win, 11.0 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 13 strikeouts
Mitch Talbot: 1 start, 1 win, 7.0 innings, 4 hits, 0 runs, 2 walks, 8 strikeouts
Josh Judy: 4 appearances, 2 saves, 4.0 innings, 1 hit, 0 runs, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts
Joe Martinez: 1 start, 7.1 innings, 4 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts
Corey Kluber: 1 start, 7.0 innings, 3 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, 7 strikeouts
Zach McAllister: 1 start, 1 win, 6.0 innings, 4 hits, 2 runs, 3 walks, 9 strikeouts
Matt Langwell: 2 appearances, 3.0 innings, 1 hit, 0 runs, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts
Chen Lee: 2 appearances, 1 win, 2.0 innings, 0 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts

Transactions

August 22: Josh Judy promoted to Cleveland
August 23: Josh Judy optioned from Cleveland; Luis Valbuena optioned from Cleveland; Zach McAllister promoted to Cleveland
August 24: Zach McAllister optioned from Cleveland; Cord Phelps promoted to Cleveland
August 26: Nick Hagadone promoted to Cleveland
August 28: Nick Hagadone optioned from Cleveland, Jerad Head promoted to Cleveland; Ben Copeland promoted from Akron

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