August 21: Cid, Chen Extend Hitting Streaks

AAA COLUMBUS (L, 4-8)

• EZEQUIEL CARRERA (23, CF):  2-3, BB.  Last 7 games: 9-31 (.290), 2 2B, 4 RBI.  Through 99 ABs with the Clippers: .263 BA, 2 2B, 3B, 10 RBI, 6 BB, 22 K (.308 OBP).
• JARED GOEDERT (25, 3B):  1-3, BB.  Last 4 games: 4-14 (.286), RBI, 3 BB.
• JORDAN BROWN (26, 1B/OF):  2-4, HR, 3 RBI.  Since return to AAA: 5-17 (.294), 4 K.
• PAOLO ESPINO (23, SP):  4 IP, 8 ER, 9 H (3 HR), 2 BB, 3 K.  In 4 AAA starts: 23.2 IP, 5.32 ERA, 17 K, 7 BB, 6 HR allowed, .258 BAA.

HIGH-A KINSTON (L, 7-8)

• KYLE BELLOWS (21, 3B):  2-5, 2B, RBI.  Last 2 games: 4-9, 2 RBI after going 0 for previous 9.
• ABNER ABREU (20, OF):  3-4, 2B, RBI.  Last 10 games: .333, 4 extra-base hits, 7 RBI, BB, 9 K, SB.  Season (369 AB): .249 BA, 20 2B, 5 3B, 3 HR, 50 RBI, 116 K, 17 SB (.281 OBP), 9 SB.  Low BB and high K rates alarming, and haven’t really improved over the course of the season.
• CHUN CHEN (21, C):  1-4, 2B, BB, RBI.  9-game hit streak:  12-28 (.429), 4 extra-base hits, 4 RBI, 7 BB, 6 K, SB.
• JUAN DIAZ (21, SS):  2-3, RBI.  Last 6: 9-19 (.474), 3 RBI, 2 BB.
• KAREXON SANCHEZ (23, 2B):  2-5, RBI.  Pre-all-star break: .280 BA, 18 extra-base hits, 29 RBI, 43 BB, 49 K, 7 SB in 211 AB.  Since: .234 BA, 14 extra-base hits, 16 RBI, 24 BB, 57 K, 0 SB.
• DONNIE WEBB (24, OF):  1-3, 2B, RBI, BB.  Last 10: .313 BA, 3 2B, 3 RBI, 10 K, SB.
• T.J. HOUSE (20, SP):  4 IP, 3 ER (3 unearned), 6 H, 2 BB, 3 K.  Last 2 outings combined: 9 IP, 8 ER, 15 H, 3 BB, 8 K.
• CHRIS JONES (20, RP):  3.1 IP, 5 K, H, BB.  Last 5 outings: 13.1 IP, 15 K, 3 ER, 4 BB, 8 H.  Season in high-A (61 IP): 1.62 ERA, 56 K, 22 BB, .205 BAA.
• CORY BURNS (22, CP):  .2 IP, 2 H, K, 2 unearned runs.  An rare blown save, granted he gave up no earned runs.

LOW-A LAKE COUNTY (L, 6-3)

• TYLER HOLT (21, CF):  1-4, 2B, RBI.  Through 7 games with Captains: 4-23, 2 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, 3 BB, 6 K.
• DELVI CID (21, OF):  1-4, RBI.  8-game hit streak: 12-33 (.364), 3 RBI, 3 BB, 11 K, 4 SB.
• GIOVANNI SOTO (19, SP):  4 IP, 4 ER, 5 H (2 HR), 3 BB, 3 K.  First poor start with Lake County after 4 impressive outings: 23 IP, 6 ER, 12 H, 7 BB, 24 K.

SHORT-SEASON MAHONING VALLEY (W, 2-1)

• NICHOLAS BARTOLONE (19, SS):  1-4, RBI, SB.  Last 3 games: 4-13, 2 2B, 2 RBI.
• JONATHAN BURNETTE (22, OF):  1-4, 2B.  Last 10 games: .317, 5 extra-base hits, 5 RBI, 3 BB, 9 K.  Season (226 AB): .288 BA, 15 2B, 3 3B, 8 HR, 28 RBI, 13 BB, 51 K.
• MOISES MONTERO (20, C):  2-4, 2B.  Last 3 games (part-time player): 5-13, 2 2B, HR, 3 RBI.
• JORDAN COOPER (21, SP):  5 IP, ER, 3 H, BB, 4 K.  Last 4 starts: 19 IP, 4 ER, 17 H, 6 BB, 10 K.
• NATHAN STRIZ (21, RP):  IP, K.  Second professional appearance (IP, K, BB on Aug. 18).

Last night’s Akron Aeros game was postponed because of rain and will be made up as half of a doubleheader today (08/22).

August 6: Indians Re-Claim Hodges, AA and High A Hurlers Put Together Solid Performances

On July 27, I commented on the Indians designating AAA first baseman WES HODGES (25) for assignment.  A few days ago, the Rockies organization claimed him on waivers and he appeared set to begin playing with their AAA affiliate, the Colorado Springs SkySox.  Well, that didn’t actually happen; the Indians re-claimed Hodges and he’s back in Columbus.  After not playing for a week and a half or so, Hodges started last night for the Clippers against Buffalo, going 1 for 5 with a run scored and 2 Ks.  I’m not exactly sure what the Indians are doing here, why they are jerking Hodges around, but I do know that he is now riding a modest 6-game hitting streak.  I know that many are skeptical of his future with the Tribe, but I felt that the Indians scuttled him a bit prematurely… I’m glad to see him back.

In the Akron Aeros narrow 2-1 victory over New Britain on Friday, a pair of pitchers shined.  Starter SCOTT BARNES (22) went 7 shutout innings, allowing 2 hits and 1 BB while striking out 8.  The lefty’s overall numbers in AA this season aren’t exactly amazing (4.83 ERA with 99 Ks, 43 BB, and a .242 BAA in 110 IP), but he’s been better as of late, posting a 3.73 ERA with 44 Ks, 19 BB, and a .243 BAA in his last 10 starts.  He still tends to alternate solid outings with subpar ones, so he’ll need to work on becoming more consistent if he hopes to take the next step.  CONNOR GRAHAM (24) relieved Barnes and pitched 2 innings, allowing 1 unearned run on 1 hit and 2 BB while striking out 3.  He hasn’t allowed an earned run since July 8th (9 straight scoreless appearances) and has a 3.27 ERA in 63.1 innings of work with the Aeros this season, striking out 48, walking 38, and allowing a BAA of .258.  His numbers have been impressive over his last 10 appearances (15 IP): .60 ERA, 18 K, 5 BB, and a .190 BAA.

A pair of young Kinston pitchers performed well against Lynchburg on Friday, but endured a disappointing 2-1 loss.  AUSTIN ADAMS (23) started the game, going 5 solid innings, allowing 1 run on 5 hits (including a solo HR) and no walks while striking out 5.  In 8 appearances (7 starts) for the Indians since getting promoted from Lake County, Adams has recorded a 1.47 ERA with 32 Ks, 7 BBs, and a .225 BAA in 36.2 innings of work.  The Indians’ 5th round draft pick out of Faulkner University in 2009 is quickly ascending the Tribe’s farm system after a solid showing in Lake County earlier this season (3.53 ERA, 61 K, 21 BB, .206 BAA in 52.1 innings).  Reliever CHRIS JONES (21) followed Adams with 3 innings in which he allowed 1 run on 1 hit and no walks while striking out 5.  The lefty pitched well with Lake County earlier this season, posting a 2.86 ERA with 20 Ks, 2 BB, and a .200 BAA in 22 IP before getting bumped up to Kinston.  In 50.2 innings in high A, Jones has struck out 46, walked 17, and held opponents to a .209 BA while maintaining a 1.60 ERA.

AAA Columbus Rundown (L, 5-7):  A few notable Clippers performances in this close loss on Friday to Buffalo.  Center fielder EZEQUIEL CARRERA, acquired in the trade that sent Russell Branyan to Seattle earlier this season, went 2 for 4 with a 2B and an RBI.  Since joining the Clippers, he’s batted .321 with a .379 OBP in 15 games (53 at-bats).  In his current 6-game hitting streak, he is hitting .417 (10 for 24) with a .462 OBP…  JOSH RODRIGUEZ went 2 for 5 with a double.  He’s batting .295 with 4 2B, 3 HR, and 7 RBI over his last 1o contests…  JOSE CONSTANZA went 2 for 4 with an RBI, raising his season average to .301.

AA Akron Rundown (W, 2-1):  Top prospect JASON KIPNIS remained hot, going 2 for 5 with a run scored.  He went 0 for 3 on Thursday, but is still batting .359 in his last 10 games (.405 OBP)…  Outfielder JORDAN HENRY went 0 for 4 in each of the past 2 games before Friday’s contest, but he went 3 for 4 with a BB against New Britain to regain his on-base machine form.  He’s hitting .421 with a .500 OBP over his last 10 games…  A solid but unspectacular game for first baseman BEAU MILLS, who went 1 for 3 with a BB.  After heating up a bit over the last couple of weeks, he was 0 for 7 in the last 2 games of the series with Altoona before Friday night.

High A Kinston Rundown (L, 1-2):  Little to note in this game, outside of the pitching performances by Adams and Jones (see above).  Second baseman KAREXON SANCHEZ had another solid game, though, going 2 for 4 at the plate.  He’s batting .370 over his last 7 games (10 for 27).

Class A Lake County Rundown (L, 0-3):  A rare quiet game for the Captains offensively on Friday night, although outfielder JASON SMIT went 2 for 3 with a stolen base.  He’s batting .450 over his last 5 games (9 for 20) with 2 2B, a HR, and 7 RBI…  Lake County starting pitcher TREY HALEY had a reasonably good outing, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits and 3 BB while striking out 7 in 7 innings.  On a normal day, that would have been more than enough to pick up the win for the Captains, but the offense took the night off.  Haley is having a rough season with Lake County, recording a 5.27 ERA with 75 Ks, 61 BB, and a .266 BAA in 21 starts (94 IP).  He’s only 20 and showed some flashes of potential on Friday night (and in other starts this season), but the amount of free passes that he issues is troubling…  Reliever FRANCISCO JIMENEZ looked good on Friday, pitching 2 scoreless frames, allowing 1 hit and 1 BB while punching out 3.  He’s also had a rough season with Lake County, posting a 4.31 ERA with 51 K, 18 BB, and a .276 BAA in 62.2 IP.  In his last 10 appearances, he’s recorded a 5.66 ERA with 11 Ks, 9 BB, and a .313 BAA in 20.2 IP.

Short-Season Mahoning Valley Rundown (L, 2-6):  Recent addition JESUS AGUILAR continued his hot start with the Scrappers, going 2 for 4 on Friday with a 2B.  In 6 games since his promotion to Mahoning Valley, he’s batting .333 with 3 2B in 24 at-bats…  Center fielder CARLOS MONCRIEF went 2 for 4 on Friday; he’s 7 for his last 15 and is batting .294 over his last 10 games…  Outfielder JONATHAN BURNETTE went 1 for 4 with a 2B and an RBI.  In his last 3 games, he has 5 extra-base hits (2 2B, 3 HR) and 4 RBI…  Third baseman GIOVANNY URSHELA went 1 for 3 at the dish with a BB.  He’s batting .351 over his last 10 games while striking out only twice and walking twice.  Over his last 5 games, he’s hitting .393 (11 for 28) with 2 HR and 4 RBI.