Mills Named Carolina League MVP

KINSTON – Kinston Indian’s first baseman Beau Mills is the 2008 Carolina League MVP. Mills leads the Carolina League with 21 homeruns and 90 RBI. Cleveland’s first round draft pick in 2007, Mills is eighth in the Carolina League with a .293 batting average. Mills is also second in the CL in extra base hits (58), third in hits (141), fifth in slugging percentage (.506) and runs scored (78). Mills is the seventh Kinston player to win the MVP award in the franchises 45 years in the Carolina League. Mills is the first K-Triber to grab Carolina League MVP honors since Jordan Brown did it in 2006.

Joining Mills on the Carolina League’s End of Year All-Stars are Niuman Romero and Luis Perdomo. Romero is the CL’s All-Star second baseman. Romero is fifth in the Carolina League with a .303 batting average. Romero, also a mid-season All-Star, owns the Carolina League’s longest hitting streak of the season at 21 games. Romero has also racked up a career high six home runs, 53 RBI and 101 hits.

Although former K-Tribe closer Luis Perdomo left Kinston for Double A Akron halfway through the season, his performance was impressive enough to garner him end of year honors. Perdomo, also a mid-season All-Star, went 3-1 with a 0.92 ERA and 18 saves in 31 games. Perdomo was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals organization last month and is currently playing for Double A Springfield.

Kinston Athletic Trainer Chad Wolfe rounds out the K-Tribe awards as the Carolina League Athletic Trainer of the Year. The North Carolina resident and ECU graduate is in his second year with the Kinston Indians.

Kinston Carolina League MVP’s
* Jim Price – 63
* Terry Whitfield - 73
* Casey Webster – 87
* Richie Sexson – 95
* Victor Martinez – 01
* Jordan Brown - 06

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Bid on a LaPorta Game Worn Jersey For a Good Cause

Got this from the Huntsville GM, Matt LaPorta's prior team before being dealt to the Indians in July. I figured some who read this site may be into the collectible thing or may know someone who is. Please pass this on, as it is for a good cause. And yes, his name is legit.

I don't know what the interest is in Cleveland, however we are in the middle of a fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon and are auctioning off all of our game worn jerseys. If there is any interest in a red, game-worn Matt LaPorta jersey, the current bid is at $150 with funds going to a replacement jersey and the MDA telethon.

We have taken a few phone calls from Indians fans regarding Matt's jerseys, so I thought it would be easier if we just emailed this info to various blogs, fan sites, etc. fans get a collectible item and we get to help our MDA fundraiser. We do have a buy it now feature for $600 with all of our jerseys, first come, first served. Matt's road jersey (gray) is already gone thru that option.

Bidding closes 11:59 pm on September 1st.

Email bids accepted to: buck@huntsvillestars.com

Have bidders send bids with contact information.

Thanks,
Buck Rogers
General Manager
Huntsville Stars
AA Affiliate - Milwaukee Brewers

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Indians AFL Participants Announced

The Indians will be sending the following players to the Arizona Fall League to play for the Surprise Rafters (play begins Oct. 7th):

3B WES HODGES
INF BEAU MILLS
INF JOSH RODRIGUEZ
LHP CHUCK LOFGREN
LHP TONY SIPP
RHP ERIK STILLER

Lake County Pitching Coach Ruben Niebla will be a coach for Surprise. The Indians are expected to have another player participate from the organization, but he has not been announced. The player could very well be RHP Adam Miller who is recovering and on his way back from surgery to his middle finger.

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Greenwell Follows Father's Footsteps

Bo may know baseball, but his dad knew a little himself too.

Outfielder Bo Greenwell is a minor league player in the lower levels of the Indians system with the rookie level Gulf Coast League (GCL) Indians. Taken in the 6^th round of the 2007 Draft out of Riverdale High School in Fort Myers, Florida, the 19-year old Greenwell is finishing up his second year and first full season in the Indians organization.

Greenwell is the son of former Red Sox outfielder Mike Greenwell, the owner of a steady 12-year career where he owns a lifetime .303 batting average, appeared in two All-Star games, and was the runner-up for the American League MVP in 1988 when he hit .325 with 19 homers and had 122 RBI. Naturally, as the son of a former successful major league baseball player, the younger Greenwell had the advantage of an in-home hitting instructor from the day he was born.

"Absolutely," said the younger Greenwell in a recent interview in Winter Haven, Florida. "I mean, during his time he was one of the best so obviously he has a lot of knowledge about the game. He instilled a lot of his philosophies in me when I was young. Now he is able to step back and let me kind of mold that into the player I am. I am a little bit faster than he was, and at my age right now I am a little bit stronger and more developed than he was."

Coming out of high school and only 18-years old, the Greenwell's often made the short trip from their home in Fort Myers to Winter Haven last year to see their son play and check up on him. It was their way of helping their son ease his way into the life as a professional baseball player, and also allowed the elder Greenwell a chance to help and encourage his son as he made his way through his first professional season.

"In my first season, yeah [my dad visited often]," said the younger Greenwell. "He came up once a week to kind of check up on me and see how things were going. He knows how it is, and knew it would be a struggle for me going through a lot coming out of high school. I didn't see anything over 88 MPH and coming out here you see 90 MPH everyday. You play everyday too, and I was not used to that. I was definitely getting my feet wet last year. As for this year, he has kind of taken a step back and only come a couple days out of the season and just has kind of let me blossom on my own."

Retired from baseball, his father is now a volunteer baseball coach at Riverdale High School and since coming aboard has given their baseball program a shot in the arm. While the elder Greenwell coached Bo through his high school years, he is now coaching his 16-year old son Garrett who looks like he may be a future football or baseball star. At 6'0 and 235 pounds, Garrett plays fullback and middle linebacker in football and is the cleanup hitter and first baseman for the baseball team.

"My dad has a lot to offer for both football and baseball," said Greenwell. "Mentally he is a good motivator and the kids respect him. He has definitely turned that high school around as it was a losing program when we first got there. Now that I have come through the system and my brother has come through - we also have a couple cousins there now - it has definitely turned the program around. And my dad has been a big factor in it."

While his father was playing, Greenwell obviously grew up a Boston Red Sox fan. His father retired suddenly after the 1996 season citing burn out from the game as his reason for leaving, and ended up totally cutting himself off from the game when he left. As a result, the younger Greenwell did not follow baseball much when his dad retired and instead began to focus more on football and turned out to be a pretty good player.

"Going into my senior year, I tore my ACL in my knee that summer," said Greenwell. "So that kind of hindered me a little bit my senior year. I made second team all state my junior year and if I would have been healthy my senior year I probably would have been first team all state. I had a couple of Division-1 scholarships but obviously I was not tall enough to be a quarterback and they wanted to move me to a slot receiver or safety."

But, no matter how much he focused on football, his first love was always baseball. He had a talent to play baseball where things came naturally to him whereas in football it took a lot of hard work to become the successful player he was.

"I don't know what it is about it, but I was always good at baseball," said Greenwell. "Obviously I got a lot of my abilities from my dad. I honestly did not work on baseball as much as I did on football. During the summer I did not do the AAU stuff or the wooden bat leagues, I went to football camps. I loved the whole leadership thing and team work factors in football. But when I stepped on a baseball field it was baseball and I was always good at it so I did not have to work on it as hard."

Even with his natural talent as a baseball player, one has to wonder had Greenwell not suffered the serious knee injury going into his senior season if he would be playing football in college somewhere at a major Division-1 program instead of toiling around in the minor leagues.

"Maybe I might have pursued it," replied Greenwell. "But I loved baseball and that is what I was good at. At best I wanted to be a dual sport athlete to play both football and baseball. I was a pretty good punter, so I was thinking along the lines of being the punter or the backup for the football team and being an outfielder for the college baseball team as well. It didn't work out, and I instead signed with [the University of] Miami to play outfield for them and it just kind of fell through when I got drafted."

Now into his second year in the Indians organization, Greenwell has already shown much improvement from last season. After hitting just .215 with 0 HR, 8 RBI and a .548 OPS in 37 games with the GCL Indians last year, Greenwell has shown marked improvement at the plate this year hitting .263 with 2 HR, 14 RBI, and a .746 OPS. One of his biggest strengths is his ability to put the bat on the ball, where in 160 at bats he has only 17 strikeouts and 23 walks this year.

"I had a really good spring training to start off my season," said Greenwell. "There are a couple older outfielders who went up to Mahoning Valley and Lake County, so I stayed down here. I started off the season slow, but I picked it up [as the season went on]. Last year was the first time I was actually able to develop my baseball skills. I was very raw coming out of high school, and I have learned a lot and took a lot out of the last offseason. I put on 20 pounds and the coordinators here helped me out with my mechanics and it is falling into place. Things are looking good right now."

Greenwell did not play much last season because he was adjusting to the everyday grind of a professional baseball player and developing a routine. He was also sidelined at times with a lingering shoulder issue that was the result of so much work in the outfield, a position he was foreign to since he played first base in high school and had never played outfield before. So he spent a lot of the season stretching out the arm and loosening up his hip flexors which were a little tight.

After getting his feet wet last year, Greenwell came into camp stronger this year and better prepared to handle the daily rigors of professional baseball. He put on 20 pounds of muscle which has helped his bat add a little thunder to it.

"Offensively, I went from a slap leadoff hitter to a number three to number five drive them in RBI gap to gap hitter," said Greenwell. "I am hitting the ball with power now, so putting on that extra bit of muscle has definitely helped me out. I have learned how to use my body for leverage to put a little more juice on the ball. Obviously on defense I am way better than last year. I was having trouble catching fly balls, and now I am getting some good jumps and making good plays out there."

With his newfound power stroke, Greenwell is trying to learn how to pull balls from time to time, a skill that he often did not use in the past since he mostly used his speed and bat-to-ball ability to hit the ball the other way.

"I was taught young to hit the ball the other and to focus and keep your nose on it and drive the ball the other way," said Greenwell. "My dad believed if you could hit the ball the other way you could always learn how to turn on the ball. Last year a majority of my hits were the other way. That was something I worked on this offseason learning how to turn on the ball and get that bat head out there to get extended on the ball. You can definitely see it this year."

With the GCL Indians' season set to end on Wednesday, there is a good possibility that Greenwell will be assigned to short-season Single-A Mahoning Valley or to Single-A Lake County (where he likely starts next year) to play a handful of games in their final week of the season. With Lake County in the playoffs, Greenwell could find himself playing in some meaningful postseason games or at least watching them as a member of the team.

"That's the organization's decision, but I would love to [go to Mahoning Valley or Lake County]," beamed Greenwell. "Anytime you get to move up and experience that it obviously adds fuel to the fire. It is hard to stay self-motivated down here as there are not very many fans, we are playing in 12 o'clock heat, it is Florida so it is very hot, and it would be nice to get away from home since I live here."

Whether or not Greenwell's season comes to a close this week, he has certainly entered into the picture as an outfield prospect on the rise. While he is still several years away from reaching the big leagues and requires a lot of projection at this point, down the road he has the skill set to be a good hitter in the top third of the order.

He has his father beat in the speed, size and tools department. Now he just has to learn how to become the excellent hitter that his father was, which for all the tools a player may have is a skill that ultimately makes or breaks a player.

"Hopefully [I can hit like him], that would be nice!" exclaimed Greenwell. "If I am half the player my dad was that would be a tremendous accomplishment."

Photos courtesy of Ken Carr

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Daily Recap: 8/25

Kinston Beats Winston-Salem 8-5

The K-Tribe’s bats came back; unleashing 12 hits and eight runs on Winston-Salem in an 8-5 win over the Warthogs Monday Night in the Triad. Jerad Head went 4-for-5 with 2 RBI to lead the way for the K-Tribe.

Kinston erased a 2-1 deficit in the top of the third inning when Winston-Salem starter Clevelan Santeliz walked the first three batters he faced. After a Carlos Rivero sacrifice fly tied the score at two, Head hit a two-out, two RBI double to put Kinston up for good. Kinston added a run in the fourth inning on a Carlos Santana RBI. They would ice the game with a bases loaded RBI double by Niuman Romero in the top of the seventh inning. Romero went 2-for-5 with two RBI. Every K-Tribe batter in the lineup reached base safely as Kinston ended their eight game losing streak.

Kinston starter Carlton Smith is now tied for the Carolina League lead in wins with 11. Smith (11-6) went five innings, giving up seven hits and five earned runs. Kinston’s bullpen did a fantastic job after Smith, as Josh Judy, Josh Tomlin and Vinnie Pestano combined for four no run innings. The K-Tribe trio gave up a total of two hits, while striking out five and walking none.

Kinston is now 2 ½ games behind Winston-Salem for the final playoff spot in the Carolina League Southern Division. Game two of the four game series takes place at 7pm tomorrow in the Triad. Shawn Nottingham takes the mound for Kinston.

MARTINEZ’S FOUR HITS LEAD CAPTAINS TO VICTORY

(Eastlake, OH) – Richard Martinez had four hits and Garrett Rieck picked up his first win of the year as the Lake County Captains defeated the Hagerstown Suns 6-3 on Monday. This was the Captains fourth win in a row.

The Suns led 1-0 going into the bottom of the second inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Suns starter Tom Milone walked Ron Rivas to drive Matt McBride home to tie the game. The next hitter Adam White singled home Richard Martinez. Juan Valdes then hit into a fielder’s choice with Jeff Hehr scoring and the Captains led 3-1. It went to 4-1 in the third inning when an Adam Davis ground out scored McBride.

The Suns cut the lead to 4-3 when they scored two unearned runs in the fourth inning on a throwing error by Karexon Sanchez. The Captains got the two runs back in the fourth inning when Dustin Realini, with runners at second and third, grounded to the shortstop and the throw to first got past the first baseman. Realini had a RBI infield single and the second run scored on the errant throw and the Captains led 6-3.

Captain’s starter Chris Archer got a no decision pitching 4.2 innings and allowing three runs, one earned on six hits and striking out two. Garrett Rieck threw 1.1 scoreless innings in relief of Archer. Mike Pontius followed Rieck in the seventh inning and threw two scoreless innings striking got three. Jonathan Holt pitched a scoreless ninth inning and picked up his first save. Milone took the loss and his record fell to 0-3.

The Captains host the Hagerstown Suns for game two of the three game series on Tuesday at 7:00 PM. The Captains will send LHP Ryan Morris (8-5, 3.64) to the mound to face the Suns RHP Brad Meyers (9-6, 4.41). All Captains games can be heard on AM 1330 WELW, WELW.COM or CAPTAINSBASEBALL.COM.

SCRAPPERS RALLEY FOR 8-7 WIN!

On a chilly Monday night at Eastwood field it was the State College Spikes that scored first, plating three run in the second on a bases loaded double by David Rubinstein and after two it was 3-0 Spikes.

In the bottom of the third the Scrappers scored their first run on a RBI ground out by Brock Simpson. Then added two more in the fourth on RBI singles by Cord Phelps and Tim Fedroff and after four the game was tied at three.

The Spikes then responded with four in the fifth to take 7-3 lead. Then in the fifth the Scrappers scored one on a RBI single by Walter Diaz and it was 7-4 Spikes after five.

Then in the sixth the Scrappers collected six straight singles that scored four runs, keyed by a two RBI double by Jeremie Tice and a RBI single by Lonnie Chisenhall and the Scrappers had the lead for the first time after six innings 8-7.

The seventh and eight innings went scoreless for both teams and we went to the top of the ninth with the Scrappers holding on to a on run lead a 8-7.

In the ninth Brad Hinkle set down the Spikes quickly (Hinkles 2nd save of the season) and the Scrappers salvaged game three 8-7.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: TIM FEDROFF 4-4 BB, RBI, R, SB
NOTE: CHISENHALLS 43RD RBI PUTS HIM IN A TIE FOR 6TH ALL TIME IN SINGLE SEASON SCRAPPERS HISTORY.

In Other Games...

- Buffalo lost 7-2. LHP Aaron Laffey went 5.2 innings and allowed 7 runs on 16 hits (!!), no walks and had two strikeouts. OF Trevor Crowe went 1-for-5 with a 3B, and DH Jordan Brown went 1-for-3 with a HR and 2 RBI.

- Akron had a scheduled off day.

- The GCL Indians won 4-0 and lost 2-0 in a doubleheader. In Game 1, LHP Chris Jones went 4.2 sensational shutout innings allowing 2 hits, 1 walk and struck out 4. 3B Abner Abreu connected for his 11th HR and went 1-for-4 in the game. Catcher Nate Recknagel made his professional debut going 3-for-4 with a 2B. In Game 2, RHP Danny Salazar went 6 innings and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, 1 walk, and had 4 strikeouts in a tough loss. Catcher Chun-Hsiu Chen went 2-for-3.

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Daily Recap: 8/24

I got a few e-mails asking about the status of Kinston 1B Beau Mills after he left Saturday's game early with an apparent injury. Per the Indians, he left the game in the third inning because of tightness in his quad muscle and was removed for precautionary reasons.

Aeros Swept Again, Fall 3-2 in Finale

NEW BRITAIN, CT – The Rock Cats swept Akron for the second time in a week Sunday, holding off another late rally to win 3-2 before 6,015 fans at New Britain Stadium. New Britain, which took three from the Aeros last weekend at Canal Park and won all three games in this series by identical scores, improved to 58-74 while the Aeros slipped to 75-60. Harrisburg also won Sunday, meaning Akron’s magic number to clinch a playoff spot remained at three.

The offense had a tough time right from the start for the Aeros, as Josh Rodriguez tripled on the second pitch of the game yet was left stranded at third base. New Britain then tallied twice in the second off starter Kevin Dixon, as three straight singles to open the frame led to the first run and Matt Tolbert’s RBI groundout made it 2-0.

Wes Hodges got Akron on the board in the sixth with a solo home run, his second of the series and 16th of the year. The Cats responded in the bottom of the inning however, as Danny Valencia hooked a solo shot just inside the left field foul pole to push the margin back to two runs at 3-1.

The Aeros made things interesting in the ninth as Brandon Chaves’ RBI bloop single down the right field line scored Nathan Panther and advanced pinch-runner Brandon Pinckney to third with two outs, but reliever Jose Mijares made a great play on Rodriguez’s liner up the middle for the final out.

Jay Rainville (9-9) earned the win with six excellent innings, allowing just one run while striking out a season-high 11. Dixon (8-11) took the loss despite turning in his team-leading 15th quality start of the year. He held New Britain to three runs in seven innings. Mijares earned the save, his first of the year. Chaves led the offense with a 3-4 performance, while Rodriguez and Hodges had two hits each.

The Aeros are off Monday before starting their final homestand of the regular season Tuesday, opening a three-game set with the Altoona Curve on Schools of the Year Night presented by the Ohio Lottery. J.D. Martin (10-3, 2.64 ERA) will go for the Aeros against Altoona’s Derek Hankins (1-10, 4.88 ERA). The game broadcast begins at 6:50 p.m. on SportsRadio 1350 AM and online at www.akronaeros.com.

CAPTAINS BLANK CLAWS 3-0

(Eastlake, OH) – Karexon Sanchez doubled home two runs in the seventh inning and the Captains pitching staff threw their first shutout of the second half as the Lake County Captains defeated the Lakewood BlueClaws 3-0 on Sunday. The Captains took the last three games of the five game series.

The Captains took the lead in the fifth inning against BlueClaws starter Mike Cisco when Juan Valdes reached on a two base error and then scored on a single by Ron Rivas and the Captains led 1-0. The Captains scored twice in the seventh inning off of Claws reliever when Sanchez hit his second double of the game.

Montero (4-6) got the win pitching five scoreless innings on three hits, walking one and striking out six. Dallas Cawiezell came on in the sixth inning and threw scoreless innings. John Gaub followed Cawiezell in the eighth inning and threw two scoreless innings to pick up his second save of the year. Cisco took the loss and his record fell to 2-1.

The Captains host the Hagerstown Suns for a three game series starting on Monday. These are the last three regular season games to be played at Classic Park In 2008. The Captains will send RHP Chris Archer (4-8, 4.47) to the mound to face the Suns LHP Tom Milone (0-2, 2.00). Game time is 1:05 PM. All Captains games can be heard on AM 1330 WELW, WELW.COM or CAPTAINSBASEBALL.COM.

SPIKES TAKE DOWN SCRAPPERS 10-5

Sunday night saw the Scrappers debut of Indians fifth round draft pick (Michigan) Zachary Putnam. Putnam pitched an inning and a third gave up one hit while walking two and striking out one.

The Spikes were the first to score in Sunday’s game in the fourth inning on a solo home run by Kyle Morgan, making it 1-0 Spikes after four. The Spikes then added three runs in the sixth on a three run home run by Andy Vasquez.

It took till the sixth before the Scrappers collected their first hit and it came with two outs. Cord Phelps singled; Tim Fedroff then followed with a single as did Lonnnie Chisenhall driving in his forty-second run of the season and after six it was 4-1 Spikes.

In the seventh the Spikes continued to show their power when Ciro Rosero hit a two out two run home run making it 6-1 Spikes. In the bottom of the seventh the Scrappers exploded for four runs keyed by a two RBI single by Phelps and a sacrifice fly by Fedroff and after seven it was 6-5 Spikes.

The Spikes responded in the top of the eighth scoring three runs on a two run home run by Vasquez and a RBI single by Jouse Peley and after eight full it was now 9-5 Spikes.

In the ninth the Spikes added a solo run on a RBI single by Butch Biela and we went to the bottom of the ninth 10-5 Spikes. In the Scrappers ninth Zach Booker led off with a single, Walter Diaz then flew out to center for out number one, Isaias Velasquez then struck out for out number two, and then Phelps grounded out to end the game.

In Other Games...

- Buffalo lost 2-0. LHP Scott Lewis was the tough luck loser throwing a complete games and allowing 2 runs on 6 hits, 0 walks and had 8 strikeouts. OF Trevor Crowe went 1-for-4 with a 3B. 1B Jordan Brown with 0-for-4.

- Kinston and the GCL Indians each had scheduled off days.

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Daily Recap: 8/23

IF/OF Jared Head was sent back to Kinston today....no corresponding move was made at Akron as they still only have 23 players. This could be a move in anticipation of activating LaPorta who is expected to be back early this coming week.

Cats One Better Again, Nip Aeros 3-2

NEW BRITAIN, CT – Dustin Martin hit a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth, lifting New Britain to a 3-2 win over Akron before 6,218 fans at New Britain Stadium Saturday night. The Rock Cats improved to 57-74 while the Aeros fell to 75-59. Akron’s magic number to clinch a playoff spot did fall to three however, as Harrisburg lost at home to Portland.

Wes Hodges staked the Aeros to an early lead just three batters in, booming a solo home run off the scoreboard in left for a 1-0 advantage. It was the 15th dinger of the season for Hodges and gave him 90 RBI for the year, moving him into second place on the franchise single season RBI list. Chan Perry is the record holder with 96 RBI in 1997.

Bronson Sardinha threw out Steve Tolleson at the plate in the bottom of the first to preserve the lead, and back-to-back doubles from hot-hitting Matt Whitney and Ryan Goleski pushed the margin to 2-0 in the top of the second. The offense would fall quiet after that however, as the Aeros entered into a funk that saw them strand a runner in scoring position in each of the next six innings.

New Britain got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Danny Valencia singled with one away and scored on Drew Butera’s two-out triple. Valencia’s home run tied it at 2-2 in the sixth, and Martin’s homer in the eighth off reliever Neil Wagner accounted for the winning margin. Akron had one final chance in the ninth, but Josh Rodriguez grounded out with Brandon Chaves at second and Bronson Sardinha struck out to end the game after Chaves had advanced to third.

Ben Julianel (3-2) earned the win with two scoreless innings of relief, allowing no hits and striking out four. Wagner (0-1) suffered the loss. Hodges and Goleski paced the offense with two hits each.

The finale in the three-game series and six-game road trip is set for 1:35 p.m. Sunday, as Akron right-hander Kevin Dixon (8-10, 4.59 ERA) takes on New Britain’s Jay Rainville (8-9, 6.22 ERA). The game broadcast begins at 1:20 p.m. on SportsRadio 1350 AM and online at www.akronaeros.com.

K-Tribe Draws Over 130,000 fans to Grainger Stadium

2,525 fans saw Kinston play their final regular season home game, an 8-2 loss to Wilmington, bringing Kinston’s 2008 attendance total to 130,406 fans. The total number of fans is the most to see the K-Tribe play since the 2001 season and more than 15,000 fans than last season.

The K-Tribe got off to a great start when Beau Mills singled home Lucas Montero in the bottom of the first inning. Kinston would erase a 2-1 deficit in the bottom of the fifth inning when Carlos Santana hit a sacrifice fly to score Jerad Head. Head was 2-for-4 for Kinston. The bats would then grow cold as Kinston managed just two hits from the sixth inning on. Wilmington would plate runs in the sixth and seventh inning, blowing the game open with four runs in the top of the ninth. Wilmington pounded Kinston pitching for 15 hits on the night.

Kinston reliever Kyle Landis (0-1) took the loss for Kinston, giving up a run in the sixth inning. Ed Cegerra (6-7) got the win for Wilmington. Kinston managed just six hits on the night.

Kinston’s eight straight losses have put them 3 ½ games behind Winston-Salem for the final playoff spot in the Carolina League Southern Division with eight games to play. After a Sunday off day, Kinston will face Winston-Salem for a very important four game series at Ernie Shore Field. Game time 7pm on Monday in Winston-Salem.

SPIKES TAKE ONE FROM THE SCRAPPERS 2-1

It was the Spikes that scored first on Saturday when Ciro Rosero delivered a RBI double and after the first it was 1-0 State College. The Spikes scored again in the fourth after Jeremy Farrell singled then stole second and scored on Kyle Morgan’s RBI single and it was now 2-0 Spikes after four innings.

In the sixth the Scrappers put two on with no out, but could not score and we went to the seventh still 2-0 Spikes. In the seventh relief pitching from both teams kept the score the same so we went to the eighth 2-0 Spikes.

In the eighth, Cord Phelps led off with a walk, Lonnie Chisenhall then doubled to left, but Phelps was thrown out at the plate for the first out of the inning. Robby Alcombrack then flew out to right field and Brock Simpson struck out to end the threat and we went to the ninth 2-0 Spikes.

In the ninth the Scrappers scored a run on a RBI single by Ryan Blair, but it was not enough and the Spikes took game one of three by a final score of 2-1.

In Other Games...

- Buffalo lost 5-4. LHP David Huf went 5.2 innings and allowed 3 runs on 10 hits, no walks and had 4 strikeouts. RHP John Meloan went a scoreless inning and struckout the side. Catcher Chris Gimenez went 1-for-3 at the plate with a HR and 4 RBI.

- Lake County won 6-5. RHP Joey Mahalic went 4 innings and allowed 4 runs on 7 hits, 2 walks and had 4 strikeouts. RHP Gary Campfield went 2.2 scoreless innings of relief. SS Mark Thompson went 2-for-5, LF Dustin Realini went 2-for-4 with an RBI, OF MattBrown went 1-for-3 with 2 RBI, and catcher Adam Davis went 1-for-4 with a 2B.

- The GCL Indians were postponed due to wet grounds.

- The DSL Indians lost 4-2. RHP Jopse Campos went 5 innings and allowed 1 run on 7 hits, 1 walk and had 1 strikeout. OF Darling Read went 2-for-4 with a 2B and 2 RBI.

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Edell Quietly Making Some Noise

When people talk about who the Indians top left-handed pitching prospects, the talk usually centers around names like David Huff, Tony Sipp, and Kelvin De La Cruz.

One left-hander in the Indians system who often gets overlooked in those conversations is Akron's Ryan Edell. Edell does not have dominating stuff, and he is more a grinder in the rotation where he gets the job done without doing anything flashy, so it is easy to see how he gets overlooked.

Edell is a quiet guy and soft spoken, so the fact that he does not get much attention from minor league fanboys does not mean much to him. In fact, he probably prefers it. He is very much the definition of what a low-key player is all about, and even takes that approach with his pre-game preparation by sitting quietly in his locker reading a book to put his mind at ease before a game.

But while Edell goes about his business in a quiet manner, he is making a lot noise and establishing himself as a legitimate left-handed pitching prospect in the Indians organization. A quiet guy making noise may in fact be an oxymoron, but his numbers speak volumes.

Edell had a breakout season last year at advanced Single-A Kinston where he went 11-6 with a 3.70 ERA in 31 games (17 starts). He put up good numbers across the board showing good control (2.29 BB/9) and had a penchant for getting strikeouts (8.06 K/9). He used last season as a springboard into this year at Akron where even though he has been inconsistent with his performance from start to start, he has still had a solid year so far going 6-8 with a 3.96 ERA in 25 starts. With all the roster movement and turnover in regard to the Akron pitching staff this year, Edell has been a rock all year and has shown increased command (1.35 BB/9) although he has had a little more trouble missing some bats (6.0 K/9).

Since the All Star break Edell has shined going 1-3 with a 3.12 ERA in seven starts, and since July 1^st he is 3-3 with a 2.58 ERA in ten starts.

"It has been better [of late]," said Edell in a recent interview at Canal Park. "I had kind of been up and down with a couple good outings and a couple bad outings. I feel like I am getting more consistent lately and feel good about that right now."

Akron manager Mike Sarbaugh agrees and likes what he has seen from Edell this year.

"His fastball command has been outstanding, and he has showed good control and the ability to spot it to get ahead of hitters," said Sarbaugh. "He is working on his secondary stuff to get more consistent with it and throw it for strikes, and he has really been making some good adjustments with it and improvements in repeating his delivery. He just has a good ability to attack hitters and make them put balls in play early in counts."

While Edell has done a good job as a starter, he probably best profiles as a major league left-handed reliever. He has had limited experience pitching out of the bullpen, with last season being the first time he had pitched out of the bullpen in his professional career. He had some prior experience in the bullpen pitching in the Alaska Summer League when he came out of college, but other than that he has always been a starter.

Edell has no preference what role he ends up in as long as it helps him get to the big leagues.

"Honestly, I don't really have any preference," said Edell. "I just like pitching and however they can use me is fine with me as I would just like to make it up there in any capacity which would be fine with me."

Edell has a three pitch mix of a fastball, slider and changeup. His fastball only sits around 90-91 MPH, but he piles up strikeouts, pitches effortlessly and is composed when pitching in tight spots. He is versatile enough where he could remain a starter or move to the bullpen depending on where the Indians need him as his slider can attack lefties and his changeup is good enough to be effective against righties. He has a very professional delivery, repeats his delivery well, and drives his fastball into the zone and in on the hands of the batter with ease.

His bread and butter pitch used to be a devastating curveball which was rated the best in the 2005 Draft and is a major league out pitch, but he lost the feel for it upon coming into the Indians organization and stopped throwing it. He recently has done some work to try and add his curveball back into his pitching mix.

"This year I am trying to re-incorporate a curveball," said Edell. "I had a curveball my first year that worked pretty well that I lost feel for and went to a slider which has been going well. So I am trying to get the curveball back and try to be the whole package again."

In addition to his finding his lost curveball, Edell is also working hard with Akron pitching coach Tony Arnold to improve his mechanics so he keeps the ball down.

"I am just really trying to throw in the bottom half of the zone this year," said Edell. "My main problem has been leaving some elevated pitches over the plate that has gotten me hurt some. So that has been my main concern this year."

Edell was taken in the 8th round of the 2005 Draft out of The College of Charleston, but ended up missing most of the 2006 season with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament. At Single-A Lake County that year he pitched in only six games (18.1 innings) and went 0-1 with a 3.44 ERA. As a result of the short work load in 2006, Edell gained some experience in the bullpen late in the year last season to limit his innings and save his arm from overwork.

The UCL sprain was a scary injury for Edell that could have been a lot worse. Had the ligament been torn, he would have had to undergo Tommy John surgery and thus would have had almost two seasons of development wiped out. Instead he ended up missing a few months of the season and was able to come back late in the year and make up some innings in the Arizona Fall League.

"I was just happy it was a sprain and not a tear," said Edell. "I was down for four months instead of a year and a half. I am really focused on my conditioning to make sure that doesn't happen again. It actually opened up the door to pitch in the fall league. I think one of our players went down so that opened up a spot for me since I did not pitch that much that year."

Edell was born in Boston, MA and now resides in Lexington, MA, so he grew up a huge Red Sox fan. He knows there is a conflict of interest with that now that he is a professional baseball player in another organization, and most importantly that Indians fans are not big fans of the big market teams like the Red Sox and Yankees.

When asked if he was still a Red Sox fan, Edell laughed and replied, "I used to be."

Smart man.

Photos courtesy of Ken Carr

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Daily Recap: 8/22

Winfree Homer Leads Cats Past Aeros, 3-2

NEW BRITAIN, CT – David Winfree hit a two-run homer, his fourth in as many games against Akron, and New Britain held off a late rally to earn a 3-2 win over the Aeros before 6,058 fans at New Britain Stadium Friday night. The Rock Cats improved to 56-74 while the Aeros fell to 75-58. Harrisburg also won Friday, meaning Akron’s magic number to clinch a playoff spot remained at four.

Both teams missed out on opportunities early, with Aeros starter Ryan Edell escaping a second and third, one out jam in the second and Rock Cats starter Kyle Aselton then working out of a bases loaded, one out jam in the top of the third. Akron did take advantage of an opportunity in the fourth however, as Stephen Head led off with a single and Matt Whitney doubled him to third. Bronson Sardinha then made it 1-0 with an RBI single to right, and Damaso Espino followed with a high chopper to the left side that shortstop Steve Tolleson did well just to keep on the infield, as Whitney scored to make it 2-0.

New Britain got a run back in the bottom of the inning, as Winfree led off with a double and then moved to third on a one-out throwing error by shortstop Josh Rodriguez. The extra out came back to haunt the Aeros when Rodolfo Palacios delivered a two-out RBI single to right to cut the advantage in half at 2-1.

The Rock Cats took the lead for good in the fifth, as Edell retired the first two hitters of the inning before Danny Valenica sliced a double to left-center that flicked off the glove of a diving Nathan Panther in center. Winfree followed two pitches later with his 19th home run of the year, and the two-run shot put New Britain ahead to stay.

Akron had one final chance in the eighth, as one-out singles from Head and Whitney put runners of the corners for Sardinha. New Britain countered by brining on left-hander Jose Mijares from the bullpen, and on a full-count offering Sardinha lofted a fly ball into medium center field. Dustin Martin played it well and caught it with his momentum bringing him towards home plate, and the Aeros opted not to send Head from third. Espino then filed out on the next pitch to end the inning.

Aselton (6-6) turned in his second straight quality start and earned his second straight win against the Aeros, holding Akron to two runs and seven hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out four. Edell (6-8) was done in by the long ball for the second straight start, allowing three runs (two earned) in five innings. He walked none and struck out three. The left-hander allowed just seven home runs in his first 19 starts this season, but has now surrendered seven dingers in his last six outings. He also allowed two homers in a defeat last Saturday against New Britain, accounting for all three Rock Cats runs. Head and Whitney led the offense, with Head collecting three of Akron’s nine hits and Whitney chipping in with a pair of knocks.

Game two in this three-game series is set for 7:05 p.m. Saturday, with Akron’s Steven Wright (3-3, 4.69 ERA) taking on New Britain’s Jay Rainville (8-9, 6.22 ERA). The game broadcast begins at 6:50 p.m. on SportsRadio 1350 AM and online at www.akronaeros.com.

Kinston Drops Seventh Straight game

A solo home run by Wilmington’s Cody Straight in the top of the 12th inning gave the Blue Rocks a 3-2 win over the K-Tribe Friday night at Historic Grainger Stadium. The loss was Kinston’s seventh straight.

The K-Tribe’s bullpen did all they could, retiring 18 batters in a row before the home run. The hit was Wilmington’s first since the fifth inning and came off of K-Tribe reliever Sung-Wei Tseng (0-7) who took the loss. Matt Meyer, Josh Tomlin and Vinnie Pestano combined for four perfect innings from the pen for Kinston. Tseng pitched a perfect eleventh inning before he gave up the home run in the twelfth. Kinston got a great start from Hector Rondon, who gave up just five hits and two earned runs through five innings. Rondon struck out a season high nine batters.

Down 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning, Kinston got a solo home run from Carlos Rivero to cut the Blue Rock lead in half. It was Rivero’s sixth home run of the season. Johnny Drennen walked with one out later in the inning, scoring on a sacrifice fly by Roman Pena. After a Mills single in the sixth inning, Kinston would not get another hit in the game. The K-Tribe loaded the bases in the bottom of the eleventh thanks to three straight two-out walks, but failed to plate a run.

Kinston returns to Grainger Stadium for their final home game of the regular season on Saturday. Kelvin De La Cruz gets the start for Kinston, game time 7pm.

McBRIDE WALK OFF STUNS BLUECLAWS 6-5

(Eastlake, OH) – Matt McBride hit a walk off three run pinch hit home run in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Lake County Captains stunned the Lakewood BlueClaws 6-5 on Friday. The BlueClaws wasted three home runs and another strong starting pitching performance. The BlueClaws fell to 1.5 games behind West Virginia who won their game tonight.

Captain’s starter Ryan Miller gave up solo home runs to Travis D’Arnaud and Mike Durant in the top of the second inning and the BlueClaws led 2-0. The Claws lead went to 3-0 when Tim Kennelly doubled home T.J. Warren in the third inning. It went to 4-0 in the top of the fifth inning.

The Captains got to Claws reliever Zach Sterner in the bottom of the sixth inning when Matt Brown doubled home two runs to cut the lead to 4-2. It went to 5-2 in the eighth when Travis Mattair walked and scored when Karl Bolt doubled off of Captains reliever Mike Pontius. The Captains cut the lead to 5-3 in the eighth inning on a RBI ground out by Jeff Hehr.

Miller took a no decision going 6.2 innings and allowing four runs on ten hits, walking two and striking out six. Pontius gave up a run in 1.2 innings of work. Jonathan Holt got the win by pitching a scoreless ninth inning. The BlueClaws Chance Chapman pitched five shutout innings striking out seven with nothing to show for the effort. Jared Simon took the loss and his record fell to 6-3.

The Captains and BlueClaws play game four of the five game series on Saturday with the Captains sending RHP Joey Mahalic (7-5, 3.80) to the mound to face the BlueClaws RHP Mike Stutes (4-1, 0.84). Game time is 7:05 PM. All Captains games can be heard on AM 1330 WELW, WELW.COM or CAPTAINSBASEBALL.COM.

MUCKDOGS SWEEP SERIES WITH SCRAPPERS 10-1

BATAVIA, NY- On Friday night Eddie Burns made his first start as a Scrapper. He worked the first two innings and gave up one hit. Then in the bottom of the eighth the Muckdogs exploded for eight runs, that saw two different Scrapper relievers work in the inning where the Muckdogs collected six base hits and after three it was 8-0 Batavia.

The Muckdogs added a solo run in the fourth, on a RBI ground out by Osvaldo Morales and it was now 9-0 Muckdogs after four innings.

The Scrappers scored their run in the fifth, when they loaded the bases and a run scored on a double play ground out by Michael Valadez and it was now 9-1 Muckdogs after five innings.

In the seventh the Muckdogs added a single run and the lead was now 10-1 going to the eighth inning. Both teams went scoreless in the eight and we went to the ninth 10-1 Batavia.

In the ninth the Scrappers were retired quickly, with a walk mixed in and dropped game two of the series 10-1 and were swept in the series 2-0.

In Other Action...

- Buffalo won 6-3. RHP Brian Bullington went 6 innings and allowed no earned runs on 5 hits, 3 walks and had a strikeout. OF Trevor Crowe went 0-for-5, 1B Jordan Brown went 2-for-4 with a 3B and 2 RBI, and OF Jason Cooper went 3-for-4 with a 3B and 3 RBI.

- The GCL Indians were rained out.

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Daily Recap: 8/21

Herrmann Sublime in 4-2 Win
Hodges Now Tied for Second in Single-Season RBI Race

NORWICH, CT – Frank Herrmann carried a one-hit shutout into the eighth and two big swings from Wes Hodges and Bronson Sardinha provided all the offense in Akron’s 4-2 triumph over Connecticut before 4,068 fans at Dodd Stadium Thursday night. The Aeros improved to 75-57 and cut their magic number down to four with Harrisburg’s 5-3 loss in Trenton. The Defenders fell to 65-65.

Herrmann and Connecticut starter Dave McKae matched each other pitch for pitch through the first five innings, but the Aeros finally broke through in the sixth. Brandon Pinckney beat out a slow roller up the third base line to start the frame, and Hodges then got ahead in the count 3-1 and bombed a hanging curveball out to left for a 2-0 advantage. It was Hodges’ 14th home run of the year and gave him 89 RBI on the season, tying him with Scott Morgan and Tony Mitchell for second on the single-season RBI list, trailing only record holder Chan Perry (96 RBI in 1997).

McKae gave way to reliever Ronnie Ray after seven innings, and singles from Pinckney, Hodges and Matt Whitney loaded the bases with one away for Sardinha. Ray got ahead in the count quickly, but Sardinha spoiled a trio of two-strike offerings before poking a two-run single into left field to double the cushion to 4-0.

Those insurance runs loomed large when the Defenders tallied twice in the eighth, but Neil Wagner came on in relief and struck out Julio Cordido on three pitches with runners at first and second to end the inning. Wagner then got the first out in the ninth before Eliezer Alfonzo singled, but Akron brought Reid Santos out of the pen and the southpaw struck out Adam Witter and Simon Klink to end the game.

Herrmann (10-6) reached double-digit victories for the second straight year, following an 11-win campaign for Kinston last season. The native of Rutherford, NJ allowed just one run and two hits in 7.1 innings, walking one and striking out seven. He retired the first nine hitters he faced, and also set down 11 straight batters later in the game. McKae (7-8) made just the mistake to Hodges, allowing two runs and six hits in seven innings. Santos notched his second save. Hodges finished 3-4 with his home run, and Pinckney chipped in a pair of hits and scored twice.

The Aeros continue this six-game road trip Friday night at 7:05 p.m. with the opener of a three-game series in New Britain. Lefty Ryan Edell (6-7, 3.97 ERA) will go for Akron against New Britain’s Jeff Manship (2-6, 4.93 ERA). The game broadcast begins at 6:50 p.m. on SportsRadio 1350 AM and online at www.akronaeros.com.

K-Tribe Falls 4-1 to Wilmington

The Kinston Indians lost their six straight game, falling to Wilmington 4-1 Thursday night at Historic Grainger Stadium. Even with the losing streak Kinston is still in the playoff hunt, just one and a half games back of Winston-Salem for the wildcard spot in the Southern Division. Kinston will play Winston-Salem in a four game series next week.

Kinston was no hit through five innings by Wilmington starter Ray Liotta (1-0). Liotta was effectively wild, walking four, striking out three and not allowing a run. Wilmington got three solid innings of relief from Greg Holland, who allowed just one hit while striking out five. Kinston finally got on the board in the bottom of the ninth when Jared Goedert drove in Lucas Montero with a two-out double. Kinston managed just two hits on the night.

Wilmington got on the board in the top of the third thanks to back to back double by Adrian Ortiz and Paolo Orlando. The Blue Rocks added their second run of the game without a hit in the top of the fourth inning. Two errors and a sacrifice bunt scored Cody Straight to put Wilmington up 2-0. Wilmington finished the scoring on back to back singles in the bottom of the ninth inning off of K-Tribe reliever Vinnie Pestano. Kinston starter Jeanmar Gomez (4-9) is the tough luck loser, giving up three hits and two runs in five innings. The Indians Josh Judy pitched two solid innings of relief, giving up two hits and striking out five batters.

Kinston will take on Wilmington in game two of the three game series Friday night at Historic Grainger Stadium. The second to last home game of the regular season features fireworks after the game. Kinston hurler Hector Rondon will take the mound going for his Carolina League leading 12th win of the season.

CAPTAINS DROP 3RD STRAIGHT

(Eastlake, OH) – Lakewood BlueClaws scored three runs in the third innings and got a strong pitching performance from Julian Sampson on their way to a 5-1win over the Lake County Captains on Thursday. Matt Brown had two hits for the Captains and has had at least two hits in six of his last seven games.

The BlueClaws scored three times in the third inning off of Captains starter Ryan Morris when they loaded the bases with one out. Freddy Galvis and Matt Rizzotti singled home runs and the third scored on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Travis D’Arnaud and it was 3-0. It went to 4-0 in the fifth on Derrick Mitchell’s ninth home run of the year. The BlueClaws made it 5-0 in the sixth inning on a RBI single by Travis Mattair.

The Captains broke up the shutout in the bottom of the ninth inning on Chris Nash’s fourth home run of the year to end the scoring at 5-1.

Morris saw his record fall to 8-5 going 5.1 innings and allowing five runs on seven hits, walking four and striking out one. Julian Sampson pitched six shutout innings and upped his record to 10-4.

The Captains and BlueClaws play game three of the five game series on Friday with the Captains sending LHP Ryan Miller (7-7, 3.27) to the mound to face the BlueClaws RHP Chance Chapman (7-5, 3.50). Game time is 7:05 PM. All Captains games can be heard on AM 1330 WELW, WELW.COM or CAPTAINSBASEBALL.COM.

SCRAPPERS DROP GAME ONE IN BATAVIA 4-2

BATAVIA, NY- In the first game back after the All-Star Game the Scrappers traveled to Batavia, New York to take on the Muckdogs. Batavia scored first in the bottom of the second, when Edwin Gomes delivered a two RBI double and after tow it was 2-0 Muckdogs.

In the bottom of the fourth the Muckdogs added another run when Chris Swauger delivered a one out RBI single and after four it was 3-0 Muckdogs. In the middle innings, both teams kept putting up zeros and we went to the eighth still 3-0 Muckdogs.

In the eighth the Scrappers threatened putting two on with one out, but could not score. The Muckdogs added a solo run in the eighth and the game went to the ninth now 4-0 Batavia.

In the ninth the Scrappers plated two runs on a RBI ground out by Cord Phelps and a RBI double by Lonnie Chisenhall, but could not score any more and dropped game one to the Muckdogs 4-2.

In Other Games...

- Buffalo lost 7-3. Human sacrifice John Halama went 6 innings and allowed 13 hits, 7 runs, 1 walk and had 2 strikeouts. LHP Rich Rundles threw a scoreless inning of relief, now at 12-scoreless outings in a row. 1B Michael Aubrey went 2-for-5 with a 2B and 3 RBI.

- The GCL Indians were (again) rained out.

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Minor Happenings: Mills Making Case For MVP

"Minor Happenings" covers the important developments and news in the Indians farm system. While most of the information in this report is from my own research and through interviews I have conducted with organizational personnel, some information in this report is collected and summarized from the various news outlets that cover each team.

Things get back to normal today as Happenings posts in its regular time slot. In case you missed it, there were three different editions posted last week with one centered on my visit to Winter Haven to see the GCL squad, one centered on my visit to Myrtle Beach to see Kinston, and the other a quick update on the important news and notes over the weekend. I was also able to post one of my player articles in queue on Mike Pontius this past Tuesday, and there are still many more to come.

Also, as a reminder, Paul Cousineau and I will take another crack at radio tonight when our show Smoke Signals airs on The Cleveland Fan Live from 9:00pm to 10:00pm EST. The show name and some ideas are still being tested out, but if you were around last week you'll see a lot of changes and additions that hopefully help bring the broadcast up a level or two. More importantly, I should be a lot healthier tonight although I still have a nasty cold.

These shows are still in a test phase, but please check them out. Once they end, they are immediately archived so you can listen right there on-line or download the show as an MP3. I'll be heading out to Lake County this evening to do some interviews with some players and coaches, so I may even air one tonight.

Indians Minor League Player Of The Week
(for games from August 14th to August 20th)

Beau Mills (First Baseman - Kinston)
.392 AVG (11-for-28), 5 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 3 BB, 9 K

Kinston first baseman is putting the finishing touches on what looks like will be an MVP season for him this year in the Carolina League. So far this month, Mills is hitting .357 with 4 HR, 16 RBI and a 1.073 OPS in 16 games, and has all but locked up the league MVP award. Mills hit .268 with 9 HR, 47 RBI and an .821 OPS before the All-Star break, but in the second half he has been red hot hitting .337 with 12 HR, 42 RBI, and a .995 OPS. He is currently 1st in the Carolina League in home runs (21) and RBI (89), 3rd in doubles (34) and slugging percentage (.515) and hits (139), 4th in OPS (.891), 5th in runs (78), and 7th in hitting (.296) and on-base percentage (.376).

Mills' outstanding season puts to rest any questions there may have been about his ability as a hitter coming out of little know Lewis-Clark State as a first round pick of the Indians last year. He now is clearly part of what has become a crowded group of gifted hitters at the top of the Indians prospect list. While things can always change, Mills is expected to finish the season in Kinston and participate in their playoffs (if they make it) and then start the year next season in Akron.

Honorable Mentions:

J.D. Martin (RHP - Akron): 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 10.2 IP, 7 H, 3 BB, 7 K
Shawn Nottingham (LHP - Kinston): 1-1, 1.93 ERA, 14 IP, 7 H, 1 BB, 16 K
Lucas Montero (OF - Kinston): .500 AVG (13-for 26), 8 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 4 SB
Matt Brown (OF - Lake County): .524 AVG (11-for-21), 3 R, 1 2B, 0 HR, 3 RBI
Cord Phelps (2B - Mahoning Valley): .500 AVG (9-for-18), 8 R, 3 2B, 2 3B, 0 HR, 3 RBI
Lonnie Chisenhall (SS - Mahoning Valley): .600 AVG (12-for-20), 5 R, 3 2B, 0 HR, 7 RBI

Previous Winners:

08/07 to 08/13: John Drennen (OF - Kinston)
07/31 to 08/06: Carlos Santana (C - Kinston)
07/24 to 07/30: Matt Brown (OF - Lake County)
07/17 to 07/23: Michael Aubrey (1B - Buffalo)
07/10 to 07/16: Niuman Romero (3B - Kinston)
07/03 to 07/09: Nick Weglarz (OF - Kinston)
06/26 to 07/02: Stephen Head (1B/OF - Akron)
06/19 to 06/25: Trevor Crowe (OF - Akron)
06/12 to 06/18: Chris Gimenez (C - Akron)
06/05 to 06/11: Jim Deters (RHP - Kinston)
05/29 to 06/04: Steven Wright (RHP - Kinston)
05/22 to 05/28: Chris Archer (RHP - Lake County)
05/15 to 05/21: David Huff (LHP - Akron)
05/08 to 05/14: Steven Wright (RHP - Kinston)
05/01 to 05/07: Jeremy Sowers (LHP - Buffalo)
04/24 to 04/30: Jose Constanza (OF - Akron)
04/17 to 04/23: Hector Rondon (RHP - Kinston)
04/10 to 04/16: Wes Hodges (3B - Akron)
04/03 to 04/09: Kelvin De La Cruz (LHP - Lake County)

Down The Stretch They Come

With a about a week and a half left in the regular season, both Double-A Akron and advanced Single-A Kinston are in the thick of a playoff race to get in the playoffs for each of their respective leagues. Akron can qualify for the playoffs by either winning the Eastern League's Southern Division or finishing second in the division. Currently at 74-57, Akron is in second place three games in back of division leading Bowie, but has a commanding six game lead over third place Harrisburg. Even though they have lost seven of their last nine games they would still need a complete collapse to blow a playoff spot with 11 games to go. Their magic number to clinch a playoff spot is six.

Unlike Akron, Kinston is in a dogfight for the final playoff spot in the Carolina League and is in danger of breaking their league record seven straight postseason appearances that they had coming into this season. Currently Kinston is 33-25 and in third place in the Carolina League's Southern Division and sit 5.5 games behind Myrtle Beach for the division lead, and are just a half game behind second place Winston-Salem.

Single-A leagues are broken up into two halves where the winner of the division in each half gets a playoff bid. In the event a team wins both halves (like Kinston did last year) then the team in the division with the best second half record qualifies for the playoffs. Since Myrtle Beach won the first half crown, the playoff bid will go to the second place finisher which will be Winston-Salem or Kinston. With 11 games left Kinston has very little chance of overtaking Myrtle Beach for the division crown, but they have an important four game set with Winston-Salem coming up at the beginning of next week which should determine the playoff fate for both teams. Kinston has never reached the playoffs via the wild card, and their magic number to clinch a playoff spot is 12.

Weglarz To Return Soon

Kinston outfielder Nick Weglarz has had a good year growing not only physically but as a hitter as well. Before leaving the Indians organization for the Olympics on July 27th, Weglarz was hitting .273 with 10 HR, 38 RBI and an .839 OPS in 99 games for Kinston. While he has become a popular favorite among prospect experts, he still feels like he could be putting up better numbers this year.

"The numbers I was hoping to get to this year could be a little better," said Weglarz in a recent interview. "I haven't walked that much lately, but I am still taking a good approach into each at bat. There are a couple things with my swing I need to iron out. Once I get more consistent with that I will be fine."

Weglarz has unbelievable power, but his home runs are down a little more than where they were expected to be at this point in the season. Part of that is the result of the pitching dominated Carolina League and pitchers working around him in walking him 67 times.

"It took a little getting used to [with the change in leagues]," said Weglarz. "I drew a bunch of walks at the beginning of the season. They were pitching away a lot and once I showed them I could go away then they started coming back in. It's tough as going from Low-A to High-A is a big jump. Here all the pitchers are experienced pro ballplayers and they don't really miss as much here as in Low-A. You almost need to stay one step ahead of the team and pitcher you are playing. Each team has their different styles on how to attack hitters, and you just try to change your plan accordingly. It takes a little getting used to, but in the big leagues and Triple-A they are going to know exactly how to pitch you, so when I get that far I have to know how to do that."

Weglarz just finished up pool play with Team Canada in the Olympics. He put on an impressive power display against gold medal favorite Cuba going 4-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI, and in the Olympics hit .400/.483/.720 in seven games. His first home run against Cuba was just to the left of dead-center and hit the top of a flag pole traveling an estimated 470 feet. Canada did not advance to the medal round, so Weglarz is expected to return to Kinston sometime in the next few days although there is an outside shot he could go directly to Akron. The Indians did not tell him what to expect when he comes back, so he knows just as much about his roster situation as the fans.

Beam Me Up Scotty

Left-hander Scott Lewis finally moved on from Double-A Akron to Triple-A Buffalo last Thursday. It was a well deserved callup, as in 13 starts at Akron he was 6-2 with a 2.33 ERA. Prior to his callup, Lewis was named Bank of America Eastern League Pitcher of the Week for the week ending August 10th. Lewis was unbeatable in two starts for the week working 13.1 innings and allowing just one unearned run. In his outing on August 4th he went 5.2 shutout innings and allowed just one hit, two walks and struckout an Akron season-high ten batters. He followed that up on August 9th and threw 7.2 shutout innings and allowed four hits, no walks and struck out five. With his two spectacular starts, Lewis continued a seven-start string of dominance over Eastern League hitters in which he allowed just two earned runs. In that stretch that spanned 44.1 innings, Lewis went 3-0 with a 0.41 ERA, 41 strikeouts and just five walks.

Now in Buffalo, Lewis hasn't really skipped a beat. He struggled in his first outing mostly because he was a little too amped up making his Triple-A debut and only lasted four innings and allowed four runs on eight hits, three walks and had three strikeouts. In his first two innings he had three walks, which was more than in any start in Akron this year. Lewis was just over-excited and could not settle into a groove. He was rushing his delivery, his pitches were elevated, and just did not have any command of his fastball. He bounced back in his second start on Tuesday night to go six innings and allow one run on three hits, one walk and had four strikeouts.

Lewis is expected to remain in Buffalo until their season concludes Labor Day weekend, and after that he likely will go back to Akron for the Eastern League playoffs. Once Akron's season concludes, since Lewis is on the 40-man roster he should be activated and make his big league debut in Cleveland sometime in September.

Where Art Thou Chisenhall?

With Mahoning Valley shortstop Lonnie Chisenhall missing the NY-Penn All Star, there has been some speculation he has been promoted and is on his way to Lake County. However, in Lake County's first game of their final homestand of the season last night Chisenhall was not in the lineup. Mahoning Valley's three day break ends today as they get back into action, and I will actually be in Lake County this evening, so this mystery should be solved by the end of the night.

In any case, the Indians 2008 first round pick is deserving of a callup to Lake County. The 19-year old has simply been on fire at Mahoning Valley hitting .426 with 1 HR, 16 RBI and a 1.140 OPS in 14 games this month. Overall he is hitting .301 with 4 HR, 40 RBI and has an .806 OPS in 52 games. Chisenhall is currently third in the league in RBI and doubles (15).

Chisenhall has done a great job of making adjustments this year at the plate and has shown his advanced approach at the plate that made the Indians take him in the first round this year. He touched up opposing hitters who tried to work him inside, so they started pitching him away and he has countered by making the proper adjustment of going with what they were giving him and going the other way.

August Not Kind To Hodges

Akron third baseman Wes Hodges probably can't wait for the dog days of August to end. After putting up consistent numbers all year from April through July, Hodges has hit a wall in August and seen his production crash. Check out his month-by-month numbers this year:

April: .265 AVG, 6 HR, 20 RBI, .822 OPS, 25 games
May: .347 AVG, 1 HR, 21 RBI, .860 OPS, 28 games
June: .314 AVG, 2 HR, 21 RBI, .823 OPS, 27 games
July: .273 AVG, 4 HR, 18 RBI, .849 OPS, 26 games
August: .162 AVG, 0 HR, 7 RBI, .391 OPS, 17 games

The average has fluctuated some over the course of the year, but his run production and OPS had been very consistent up until this month. Another thing of note is after racing out to a quick start in April with six home runs in 25 games, Hodges has hit only seven home runs since then in 98 games.

So why the struggles? There is no definitive answer other than he is tired. He has logged a lot of games this year virtually playing everyday. Also, while his Akron teammates recharged their batteries over the All-Star break he was in New York participating in the Futures Game. So, Hodges has been pretty much has not had much of a break since spring training started way back in early March. Hopefully he can catch a second wind here over the next few days as Akron will need his bat in the playoffs.

Hodges is second in the Eastern League in RBI, and has not driven in multiple runs in a game since August 2nd. On the year, Hodges is hitting .280 with 13 HR, 87 RBI and a .775 OPS. His 87 RBI are the fifth most in a single-season at Akron, which surpassed Victor Martinez's 85 RBI total in his MVP season in 2002. Hodges is one hot streak away of eclipsing the club record of 96 RBI in a season set by Chan Perry in 1997. This was a record that halfway through the season he looked like he would smash, but with his cold August now looks like he will fall short of breaking.

Better Late Than Never With Gomez

Kinston right-hander Jeanmar Gomez is part of the Latin Trifecta that includes right-hander Hector Rondon and left-hander Kelvin De La Cruz. But while Rondon and De La Cruz have made huge strides this year, Gomez sort of lagged behind for much of this year. Not anymore. The 20-year old Gomez is finishing up his season strong and has been sensational in August going 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in three starts. The highlight of the month was on August 10th where he pitched seven outstanding shutout innings and allowed four hits, no walks and struck out six. His stellar outing dropped his ERA below the 5.00 threshold for the first time since his first start of the season back in April. On the year, Gomez is now 4-8 with a 4.81 ERA in 24 starts.

Gomez's success this month stems from him being able to command his fastball to both sides of the plate and being able to consistently throw his secondary pitches for strikes which has allowed him to throw off-speed pitches in fastball counts. Gomez has also worked a lot in bullpen sessions with pitching coach Greg Hibbard to improve the velocity of his slider by improving his mechanics. As a result, his slider is now much sharper and has much better late break. Prior to the adjustments, Gomez would fly open and expose his arm slot which caused problems in getting proper velocity on his pitches and in turn he ended up overthrowing a lot. Now that he is throwing with his arm more out front he is throwing much easier and getting much more life on all his pitches. Gomez also continues to improve in some of the mental aspects of pitching such as reading swings.

Role Reversals

Akron left-hander Chuck Lofgren's transition to the bullpen seems to be just what the doctor ordered. While he was hardly excited about being moved from a starter to the bullpen, he may find his new role to his liking if he keeps on pitching the way he has pitched lately. In ten appearances as a reliever, Lofgren is 1-1 with a 2.42 ERA and in 22.1 innings has allowed 16 hits, four walks and struck out 16 batters. When you compare that to his numbers as a starter where in 14 starts he went 1-4 with a 6.29 ERA (58.2 IP, 67 H, 42 BB, 54 K) there is no question that the bullpen experiment will continue at least through the end of the season.

Since his return from a 25-day "leave of absence" in June, Lofgren has pitched out of the bullpen and credits his success to being more focused and having some mechanical issues with his delivery corrected. The most telling sign of his returned focus is the command of his fastball where he has only walked four batters as a reliever in 22.1 innings while as a starter he walked 42 batters in 58.2 innings.

It remains to be seen if the move to the bullpen for Lofgren was only temporary for him in order to allow him to salvage what was a lost season up until the move. Considering that he is still considered one of the top left-handed pitching prospects in baseball there is a very good chance he will open the season next year in the Triple-A Columbus starting rotation. Lofgren is also up for roster protection from the Rule 5 Draft this offseason, so the Indians need to accurately assess his value.

While Lofgren has enjoyed success going from starter to reliever, right-hander J.D. Martin has been putting up big numbers in his recent transition from reliever to starter. With the promotion of Scott Lewis to Buffalo last week Martin was inserted into the Akron starting rotation for the remainder of the season. Martin has been quick to impress in his new role throwing 10.2 shutout innings in his two starts since being inserted into the rotation. In 33 combined appearances between Akron and Buffalo this season Martin is 11-3 with a 2.53 ERA, and in 81.2 innings has allowed 74 hits, 18 walks and has 73 strikeouts.

Coming into this season Martin had been a starter his entire career, but the Indians moved him to the bullpen to reduce his innings workload on his surgically repaired right elbow. With his outstanding season, the Indians will need to do everything they can to protect Martin this offseason from being taken in the Rule 5 Draft or leaving the organization as a six year free agent.

Huff Is Finishing Up Strong

Left-hander David Huff continues to breeze along this season. With what looks like just two starts left in his season he is now 5-4 with a 2.83 ERA in 14 starts at Buffalo and is averaging a strikeout an inning with 73 strikeouts in 70 innings. In 11 of his 14 starts he has held the opposition to two runs or less, and in the other three did not allow more than four runs. In 25 combined starts between Akron and Buffalo, Huff is 10-5 with a 2.39 ERA and has 135 strikeouts in 135.2 innings pitched. He also has only walked 27 batters and has held the opposition to a .202 batting average.

Huff is currently at 135.2 innings, which with two starts remaining he is right in line to hit his target innings pitched threshold of 145-150 innings. Huff aired it out for the first time in awhile on Monday night when he went 5.2 innings and threw 96 pitches, easily the most pitches and the the longest he has gone in a game since July 6th. The Indians have carefully monitored his innings in order not to overwork him this year after he only threw 59.2 innings for Kinston last year. Sorry Tribe fans, but once his season in Buffalo concludes, he will not be in Cleveland in September. He'll be shutdown, put in bubble wrap until next year, and be a strong favorite to win the fifth starter sport out of spring training next year.

An Olympic Scare

Indians outfield prospect Matt LaPorta was involved in a scary incident on Tuesday when he was struck in the head with a pitch during their 9-1 win over China. LaPorta was allegedly hit intentionally after he and teammate Nate Schierholtz were involved in collisions at the plate in consecutive innings. LaPorta bowled over catcher Wang Wei in the fifth inning and Wang suffered a torn ACL to his left knee on the play, so LaPorta was drilled while leading off the bottom of the seventh.

When LaPorta was beaned, he laid crumpled on the ground for several minutes before walking off on his own power and left the game to go to the hospital and have tests done. All tests came back negative, and he was diagnosed with a mild concussion. He took batting practice on the field yesterday and is listed as day-to-day. He likely will be back in the lineup for the game against Cuba.

After finishing up pool play at 5-2, Team USA has advanced to the medal round and earned a #3 seed. They will face off with #2 seed Cuba tomorrow morning at 6:00 am ET. If USA wins, they would advance to the gold medal game and play at 6:00 am ET on Saturday, but if they lose they would play in the bronze medal game at 10:30 pm ET tomorrow night.

Mr. Cooper Now Mr. Bison

Buffalo outfielder Jason Cooper has now played in 401 games as a Buffalo Bison which is the most in the Modern Era of the franchise. Cooper passed the record set by Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame catcher Tom Prince who had played in 400 games with the team from 1988-1992. In his five-year career with Buffalo, Cooper also ranks 2nd in RBI (218) and doubles (81), 3rd in walks (167), tied for 3rd in triples (18), 4th in runs (202) and 6th in hits (322) and home runs (49). On the season he is hitting .241 with 9 HR, 42 RBI and a .783 OPS.

Cooper has had a hard time getting everyday at bats in Buffalo this year. As a six year free agent this offseason he likely will try and find greener pastures elsewhere because of the crowded outfield situation in the upper levels in Cleveland. In a twisted way, Cooper could end up back in Buffalo next year even though he would not be with the Indians. With the Indians all but set to move to Columbus next year, there has been talk that the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets may be the top candidates to scoop up Buffalo as their Triple-A affiliate. If Cooper was to sign with one of those teams, he could be back in his familiar confines at Dunn Tire Park for yet another season.

Affiliate Notebook

Buffalo Notes (62-69, 5th place, 17.0 GB): First baseman Jordan Brown has really heated up since the All-Star break. In 27 games since the break he is hitting .316 with 1 HR, 16 RBI and an .826 OPS with eight multi-hit games during that span. On the season, Brown is now hitting .280 with 5 HR, 43 RBI and a .740 OPS in 101 games. ... Catcher Chris Gimenez is another player who has started to find his groove. After making his Triple-A debut in June and only hitting .167 for the month, Gimenez has batted .301 since then in 35 combined games in July and August. In 100 combined games at Akron and Buffalo, Gimenez is hitting .307 with 7 HR, 38 RBI and an .876 OPS. ... All-Star left-hander Rich Rundles has not allowed a run in 11 consecutive outings. Since July 26, in those 11 appearances he has thrown 8.1 innings and allowed only two hits, no walks and struck out ten. On the season he is 5-4 with 4 saves and a 2.94 ERA in 50 appearances. ... Since the All-Star break, outfielder Brad Snyder has hit .292 with 5 HR, 23 RBI, and an .843 OPS in 27 games. On the season, he is hitting .249 with 12 HR, 59 RBI and a .733 OPS, and he leads the team in extra-base hits (40), home runs, and RBI. ... On Sunday, infielder Morgan Ensberg was activated off the temporary inactive and infielder Jared Head (2-for-7, HR, 2 RBI) was transferred back to Kinston. ... Right-hander Jeff Weaver has been transitioned to the bullpen.

Akron Notes (74-57, 2nd place, 3.0 GB): Right-handed reliever Erik Stiller's overall numbers at Akron of a 6-5 record and 4.44 ERA in 31 games may not show much, but a deeper look into his numbers shows a budding quality reliever who often goes unnoticed. Only four of his 22 inherited runners have scored, of which two of them scored way back in his first Akron appearance on May 9th. Also, he is racking up a strikeout an inning with 50 strikeouts in his 52.2 innings pitched at Akron. After putting up a 5.02 ERA in 21 first half appearances, Stiller has started to settle in the second half with a 3.00 ERA in 10 appearances. ... While his won-loss record may not be spectacular, right-hander Frank Herrmann has not gotten much support from his offense. Herrmann is pitching as good as he ever has in the Indians organization and has gotten stronger down the stretch going 1-5 with a 1.91 ERA in his last eight starts (six at Akron and two at Buffalo). In 47.1 innings he has allowed 40 hits, 16 walks and has 43 strikeouts. In 24 combined starts between Kinston, Akron and Buffalo this year, Herrmann is 9-8 with a 4.21 ERA. ... Outfielder Jose Constanza has quietly put together a solid year, hitting .278 with 0 HR, 34 RBI, and a .683 OPS. While he hits for little power, the scrappy outfielder is one of the most exciting players in the system to watch because of his ability to put the bat on the ball with only 42 strikeouts in 338 at bats, and also his speed on the bases (23 stolen bases). Constanza was moved off the roster and utility man Jared Head was activated from Kinston yesterday. No official word yet on why Constanza was taken off the roster, but a lingering shoulder issue is said to be the cause. ... When hard throwing right-hander Neil Wagner was promoted from Kinston to Akron last week, he took Scott Lewis' spot on the roster and J.D. Martin's spot in the bullpen. In three appearances at Akron he is 0-0 with a 4.91 ERA. ... Akron made a few moves on Wednesday, activating catcher Doug Pickens to fill the backup catching void left open when Armando Camacaro was assigned to Buffalo on Tuesday night. Wyatt Toregas was expected to be activated off the disabled list, but he still was having some problems with the inflammation in his elbow.

Kinston Notes (33-25, 3rd place, 5.5 GB): Catcher Carlos Santana has been tearing it up since coming over in a trade from the Dodgers for third baseman Casey Blake. In 20 games he is hitting .377 with 4 HR, 13 RBI and a 1.071 OPS. Santana is the only player in minor league baseball with 100 RBI and 100 runs scored, and is first in runs scored (114) and second in RBI in all of minor league baseball. Santana was hit by a foul ball in the throat areas while he was catching on Tuesday night and had to leave the game in the 7^th inning, but was back in the lineup on Wednesday night. ... Left-hander Kelvin De la Cruz had a rough outing on Monday going just 2.2 innings and allowing eight hits, seven runs, five walks and had three strikeouts. It was his worst outing of the year by far, and spiked his numbers at Kinston to where after six starts there he is now 3-2 with a 6.35 ERA. ... Prior to his callup earlier this week to Kinston, right-hander Josh Judy was on a tear at Lake County. In his last eight appearances covering 15.1 innings Judy was 4-0 with a 1.17 ERA, eight hits, four walks, and 19 strikeouts. He finishes the year 12-1 with a 3.51 ERA in 31 appearances at Lake County. In two appearances at Kinston he has thrown 4.1 shutout innings and allowed three hits, no walks, and struck out five. ... Here is a quick update on how some of the other Kinston newcomers are doing: Outfielder Lucas Montero (21 games, .261 AVG, 1 HR, 12 RBI, 12 stolen bases, .670 OPS), outfielder Roman Pena (8 games, .143 AVG, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .558 OPS), and right-handed reliever Kyle Landis (3 games, 0-0, 11.25 ERA, 4 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 5 K). ... After winning just eight games in April, Kinston has won 60 games since, the second most in the Carolina League behind Myrtle Beach. ... Kinston's recent eight game win streak was their longest winning streak since the beginning of the 2004 season.

Lake County (27-30, 4th place, 11.0 GB): Outfielder Matt Brown has reached base safely in 19 of his last 20 games and is on a tear in August hitting .415 with 1 HR, 5 RBI and a .975 OPS in 14 games. On the season Brown is now hitting .309 with 8 HR, 69 RBI and a .796 OPS. ... Tough luck lefty Ryan Miller can't catch a break. Last Monday he went five innings allowing just one run on six hits, one walk and had one strikeout, but victory eluded him as the bullpen blew a three run lead in the eighth inning. In his follow up start this past Saturday he got 12 runs of run support from his offense, but he lacked the command to get through five innings to qualify for the win and went just 4.1 innings allowing four runs on seven hits, three walks and had three strikeouts. After winnings seven of his first eight starts, Miller is now winless in his last 15 starts. ... On Sunday, right-hander Eric Berger made his Lake County debut but had to leave the game in the second inning with an oblique injury. He injured himself in the early stages of the game while trying to field a bunt. Given our experience with this injury to players on the major league roster, I'd say that since there are only about three weeks left in the season (including playoffs) his season is over. ... On Monday right-hander Joey Mahalic struggled through his worst outing of the season going 4.1 innings and allowing five runs on eight hits, two walks and two strikeouts. Prior to the start, he had not allowed more than four runs in his 17 previous starts. On the season Mahalic is 7-5 with a 3.80 ERA in 18 starts. ... Shortstop Ron Rivas had a 16-game hitting streak snapped last Friday, which tied the longest hitting streak at Lake County with outfielder Roman Pena who also had a 16 game hitting steak earlier in the season. On the season Rivas is hitting .295 with 0 HR, 22 RBI and a .708 OPS in 71 games. ... Catcher Matt McBride has been assigned to Lake County.

Mahoning Valley Notes (26-33, 5th place, 9.5 GB): Five Scrappers were named to the NY-Penn League All Star team: left-hander Eric Berger, first baseman Brock Simpson, second baseman Isaias Velasquez, shortstop Lonnie Chisenhall, and catcher Robbie Alcombrack. The All Star game was played on Tuesday night in Troy, NY. In the game, Alcombrack went 0-for-1, Simpson went 0-for-2, and Velasquez went 0-for-1 with a walk and strikeout. Berger did not participate as he was promoted to Lake County, and Chisenhall was not there as well as it is believed he has been promoted to Lake County as well (unconfirmed). ... Last Friday right-hander P.J. Zocchi was the best he has been this season going five innings and allowing just one run on five hits, no walks and had seven strikeouts. In 12 starts he is 3-3 with a 4.42 ERA. ... Outfielder Juan Valdes was recently promoted to Lake County, and was replaced on the roster with outfielder Tim Fedroff. Fedroff is out of North Carolina and was taken in the 7th round of the 2008 June Draft, and in seven games is hitting .414 with 0 HR, 2 RBI and a .986 OPS. ... Infielder Isaias Velasquez recently had a 17-game hitting streak snapped. On the season he is hitting .294 with 1 HR, 16 RBI, 7 stolen bases, and a .751 OPS. ... Right-handed reliever Brad Hinkle has been a standout this season on the pitching staff. Literally. At 6'10" the 220-pounder towers over opposing hitters, and he has used that height to his advantage where he can stay on top of the ball and get it on a downward plane. In 14 appearances (6 starts) Hinkle is 0-0 with 1 save and a 3.66 ERA. In 39.1 innings he has allowed 38 hits, 12 walks, and piled up 41 strikeouts. ... The Scrappers lead the NY-Penn League in walks with 246. Vermont is second in the league with 223 free passes.

GCL Indians Notes (25-28, 5^th place, 7.0 GB) and DSL Indians Notes (36-31, 6^th place, 8.0 GB): Left-hander Heath Taylor has been absent almost the entire season with elbow problems, but just started a rehab assignment with the GCL club on Wednesday and threw a scoreless inning. Prior to going on the disabled list in early May, Taylor was 2-2 with a 4.79 ERA in 10 relief appearances for Kinston earlier this year. ... 2008 2^nd round pick right-hander Trey Haley made his professional debut with the GCL club on Wednesday throwing a scoreless inning. ... Third baseman Abner Abreu is in a funk offensively, hitting just .162 with 2 HR and 4 RBI in his last ten games (6-for-37). He is now hitting .255 with 10 HR, 34 RBI and an .829 OPS. ... There will be some movement in the system soon since the GCL club wraps up play next week (8/27). Several players on the GCL roster will likely go to Mahoning Valley or Lake County to take part in the final week of the season for each team. ... On the DSL side, third baseman Kelvin Diaz is hitting .306 with 5 HR, 44 RBI, and an .873 OPS. ... Outfielder Darling Read is hitting .276 with 12 HR, 43 RBI, and an .878 OPS. ... 17-year old lefty Elvis Araujo is 4-2 with a 1.89 ERA in 14 starts. ... The DSL Indians wrap up play on Saturday.

All photos courtesy of Ken Carr, Cleveland Indians, Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Lake County Captains, Kinston Indians, Akron Aeros, and Buffalo Bisons.

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Daily Recap: 8/20

Akron made a few moves today, activating catcher Doug Pickens to fill the backup catching void left open when Armando Camacaro was assigned to Buffalo on Tuesday night. Wyatt Toregas was expected to be activated off the disabled list today, but he still was having some problems with his elbow inflammation. Also, in a surprise move of sorts, outfielder Jose Constanza was moved off the roster and utility man Jared Head was activated from Kinston. No word yet on why Constanza was taken off the roster.

Also, catcher Matt McBride has been reassigned to Lake County. LHP Heath Taylor has also started a rehab assignment with the GCL Indians.

Head, Martin Lead Aeros to 9-6 Victory
Outfielder Ties Franchise Record with Three Home Runs

NORWICH, CT – Stephen Head tied a franchise record by becoming just the fifth player in franchise history with three home runs in a game, and J.D. Martin tossed five shutout innings as Akron snapped a season-high four-game losing streak with a 9-6 win over Connecticut before 3,186 fans at Dodd Stadium Wednesday night. The Aeros improved to 74-57 while the Defenders fell to 65-64. Coupled with Harrisburg’s loss in Trenton, Akron’s magic number to clinch a playoff spot dropped to six.

Both Martin and Connecticut starter Ben Snyder stranded multiple runners in scoring position over the first three frames, but Akron broke the game open with four runs in the top of the fourth. Wes Hodges opened the inning with a first-pitch single to right field, and Head followed with a towering drive that stayed fair by maybe a foot to make it 2-0. A pair of singles from Matt Whitney and Nathan Panther put runners at first and second with one away, and a base hit from Damaso Espino and a fielder’s choice from newcomer Jerad Head doubled the lead to 4-0.

Stephen Head crushed his second homer of the game to right-center in the fifth, a solo shot to make it 5-0. Akron added three more in the sixth on a two-run throwing error by Defenders reliever Josh Sharpless and an RBI double from Brandon Pinckney, and Head then capped his night with another solo bomb leading off the seventh. He had a chance to become the first player in franchise history to ever hit four home runs in a game, but got nothing to hit in his final at-bat and walked in the ninth.

The Defenders made things far too interesting in the bottom of the ninth, scoring four runs against closer Randy Newsom in a non-save situation before Wisconsin native Scott Roehl got the final two outs with the tying run at the plate to preserve the win.

Martin (10-3) earned the win with five scoreless innings, and hasn’t allowed a run in his last 15.2 innings. He held Connecticut to just four hits and two walks while striking out three, and also stranded four runners in scoring position. Snyder (1-6) was touched for five runs and nine hits in five innings, walking none and striking out two. Roehl’s save was his sixth in eight chances.

Head finished 3-4 with four RBI, and matched Wyatt Toregas’ three-homer game on July 2nd. Pinckney, Whitney and Espino all finished with two hits, and the nine runs in the game equaled Akron’s offensive output from the previous eight games combined.

The finale in this three-game series is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Wednesday, with nine-game winner Frank Herrmann (9-6, 4.18 ERA) going for Akron against Connecticut’s Dave McKae (7-7, 4.45 ERA). The game broadcast begins at 6:20 p.m. on SportsRadio 1350 AM and online at www.akronaeros.com.

Kinston is shutout by Potomac

The Potomac Nationals blanked the Kinston Indians 6-0 Wednesday night at Grainger Stadium, sweeping the three game set from the K-Tribe. Potomac got on the board in the top of the first inning when Dan Lyons drew a one-out walk and Francisco Plasencia drove him home with a double one batter later. Potomac would add to their lead in the top of the fourth with a lead off home run from Dee Brown. Potomac would add another run in the fifth inning behind two bloop hits. Kinston starter Shawn Nottingham (2-4) was the tough luck loser, giving up just five hits and striking out seven through seven innings of work. Potomac added three runs off of Kinston’s Kyle Landis, highlighted by another Brown home run, this time a two-run shot in the eighth inning. Kinston managed just six hits on the night, Johnny Drennen went 2-for-3 for the Indians.

The loss is Kinston’s fifth straight, their longest losing streak of the season and longest since the 2005 K-Tribe lost six straight. Kinston welcomes Wilmington to Historic Grainger Stadium for their final home series of the season starting Thursday at 7pm. The K-Tribe sends Jeanmar Gomez to the mound.

BLUECLAWS TOP CAPTAINS 8-5

(Eastlake, OH) – In a game with big playoff implications for the Lakewood BlueClaws Mike Durant came up big driving in four runs and hitting his 16th home run of the season and Karl Bolt had a two run double in the top of the ninth inning as Lakewood defeated the Lake County Captains winning 5-1 on Wednesday. The BlueClaws are now 1.5 games behind West Virginia in the 2nd half standings. The winner of the second half plays the Captains in the SAL northern division playoffs.

The BlueClaws got on the scoreboard in the top of the third inning loading the bases against Captains starter Chris Archer. A fielder’s choice by Tim Kennelly scored a run and the next batter Michael Durant doubled home two more and it was 3-0. The Captains got one back in the bottom of the third off of BlueClaws starter Vance Worley on a RBI single by Matt McBride that scored Mark Thompson and the lead was cut to 3-1.

Durant hit the two run homer off of Paolo Espino on the top of the eighth inning to make it 5-1. The Captains put four runs up in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI by Adam Davis and an inside the park three run home run from Juan Valdes and it was tied at 5-5. After the Bolt double in the ninth inning off of Dallas Cawiezell, Tim Kennelly doubled home bolt to make it 8-5.

Archer got no decision throwing four innings and allowing three runs on five hits, walking four and striking out five. Gary Campfield pitched two scoreless innings while Espino gave up two runs in two innings. Cawiezell took the loss to have his record fall to 3-8. Chris Kissock was the winner and his record is 4-5. Jared Simon pitched a scoreless ninth inning and notched his 27th save.

The Captains and BlueClaws play game two of the five game series on Thursday with the Captains sending LHP Ryan Morris (8-4, 3.42) to the mound to face the BlueClaws RHP Julian Sampson (9-4, 4.58). Game time is 7:05 PM. All Captains games can be heard on AM 1330 WELW, WELW.COM or CAPTAINSBASEBALL.COM.

In Other Games....

- Buffalo won 10-5. LHP Aaron Laffey went 5 innings and allowed 4 runs on 7 hits, 2 walks and 5 strikeouts. OF Trevor Crowe went 1-for-5 with an RBI, 1B Jordan Brown went 1-for-4 with a 2B and 2 RBI, and catcher Chris Gimenez went 0-for-4 with a walk.

- Mahoning Valley had a scheduled off day.

- The GCL Indians lost 10-3 and 1-0. In the first game, LHP T.J. McFarland went 4.1 innings and allowed 6 runs on 8 hits, 2 walks and had 3 strikeouts. OF Angel Rodriguez went 1-for-4 with a HR and RBI, and OF John Allman went 3-for-4. In the second game, Indians 2008 2nd round pick Trey Haley made his professional debut going a scoreless inning. LHP Heath Taylor is on a rehab assignment and threw a scoreless inning. RHP Clayton Cook went 3.1 innings and did not allow an earned run and allowed 2 hits, 1 walk and had 3 punchouts.

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