May 25, 2013

IL Playoffs Game 4: Clippers 13, Bulls 2 – INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPS!!

September 18, 2010 by 2 Comments

champs!Clippers 13, Bulls 2 – (box)
Series: COL wins, 3-1

It was a perfect night for Columbus on Friday in Durham. Not only did they lay the wood to the Bulls to take home the Governor’s Cup, but AAA rookie Jason Kipnis decided to put some icing on the cake by hitting for the cycle.

As usual, the Clippers got solid starting pitching, and their offense took care of the rest as it has done for the majority of these IL Playoffs. And, while it’s hard to pick one guy as the offensive leader when the team lays down as many runs as did the Clippers, Kipnis deserves special mention, as he was playing in just his fourth game in AAA.

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IL Playoffs Game 3: Bulls 3, Clippers 2 – Durham Stays Alive with a Walkoff Win

September 17, 2010 by Leave a Comment

winning_runBulls 3, Clippers 2 – (box)
Series: COL leads, 2-1

Unfortunately, the celebration has to wait at least one more day. The Clippers rallied to tie the game late, but couldn’t hold off Durham in the ninth as the Bulls managed to stay alive by taking Game 3.

Both starting pitchers were solid, and Yohan Pino turned in another brilliant start for Columbus, working 8.0 innings and allowing just two runs—one earned (ERA: 1.13)—but it ended up being the one unearned run that was ultimately the difference.

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IL Playoffs Game 2: Clippers 4, Bulls 0 – Great Pitching and the Long Ball, ONE MORE WIN TO GO!

September 16, 2010 by 7 Comments

scoreboardClippers 4, Bulls 0 – (box)
Series: COL leads, 2-0

Yesterday, I led with a note about scripting a playoff win, and if I could do it what my script would look like. I wrote: “My starting pitcher would work seven solid innings, and my offense would jump out early and make the other team play catch-up.” I plagiarize myself for one simple reason: Columbus is now one win away from the IL Championship, and they’ve continued to get it done with excellent starting pitching and timely hitting.

Last night was no different, as Zach McAllister took the mound and shut down the Durham Bulls for seven innings. Cord Phelps, Jared Goedert, and Jared Head each added solo home runs, and the Clippers closed out Huntington Park for the year in style.

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IL Playoffs Game 1: Clippers 18, Bulls 5 – That Just Happened.

September 15, 2010 by 2 Comments

scoreboardClippers 18, Bulls 5 – (box)
Series: COL leads, 1-0

If you could script the first game of a baseball playoff series, what would you write? If it were me, it would be something like: “My starting pitcher would work seven solid innings, and my offense would jump out early and make the other team play catch-up.” David Huff took the hill for the Clippers and held up his end of the bargain, working 7.0 innings and allowing just one unearned run; and as you can see from the pic above, the Clippers offense more than did their part.

And honestly, the mark of a great playoff game is when your opponent hits a grand slam in the eighth inning, and you don’t even care.

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Clippers Rally Late, Fall Short in Extras as Yankees Take Game Two 5-4

September 10, 2010 by Leave a Comment

ezequiel carreraYankees 5, Clippers 4 (10) – (box)
Series: tied, 1-1

The picture to the right might seem odd for a game recap. It’s just a guy—Ezequiel Carrera in this case—standing on first base. But, sadly, this picture is emblematic of the Clippers’ game last night. Down 4-0 in the 6th inning, Columbus rallied back to tie the score, with the last two runs coming on bases-loaded walks (the photo at right is Carrera on first after his game-tying bases-loaded walk in the 8th inning). But, with a bunch of runners on base in each of the last four innings and a chance to win the game, the Clippers just couldn’t get the much-needed hit. So, on base the runners stayed. Hence the picture.

The Clippers got just about all they could ask for from starter Zach McAllister, but shoddy defense and an inability to solve Yankeers starter David Phelps early did them in. The Clippers committed three errors on the night, one of which led to three unearned runs in the sixth. The offense could only muster one hit through the first five innings against Phelps. That the Clippers had a chance—multiple chances, really—to win this game late is a testament to their will and also to their bullpen.

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Bunting’s Overrated – Clippers Get Walk-off Homer to Take Game One 6-4

September 9, 2010 by 4 Comments

Clippers 6, Yankees 4 (10) – (box)
Series: COL leads, 1-0

“I need to work on getting a bunt down.” So said catcher Luke Carlin after the end of a wild, ten inning Game 1 of the Governor’s Cup semi-final series between the Columbus Clippers and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. If you’d seen his four failed sacrifice bunt attempts—two each in two separate late-game at-bats with runners on—you’d probably agree with him.

Except for one thing: after two bunts foul down the first base line in the bottom of the tenth with Jerad Head on first after a lead-off single, Carlin was swinging away with two strikes. And, the next thing we all knew, the ball was leaving the yard over the right field wall just under the scoreboard for a walk-off winner.

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Clincher! Clippers and Huff Put 8-0 Smack Down on Toledo, Punch Ticket to Postseason

September 3, 2010 by 1 Comment

With an early start time and win-and-you’re-in stakes, the Clippers had to be chomping at the bit. They went in to yesterday’s tilt with Toledo needing a win to assure themselves of at least the Wild Card spot; they had a 4.5 game lead over Syracuse with five to play. David Huff, who had struggled of late, took the hill for Columbus. And, judging by his performance as well as the swiftness with which the Clippers’ offense buried Toledo starter Charlie Furbush, the team wanted to take care of its business and leave no doubt.

Huff and the defense set the tone in the top of the first, as Scott Sizemore rapped a lead-off single to right and foolishly tried to stretch it into a double. Jose Constanza showed off his gun by throwing him out at second. Huff then retired 11 of the next 13 that he faced to get through the fourth. By then, the offense had put the game out of reach and the Clippers were on their way to the playoffs.

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Back in First – Espino Shines, Bats Push Clippers Back Into Division Lead

September 1, 2010 by 1 Comment

Heading down the stretch, it’s been a guessing game about what kind of start Columbus will get from its pitching. Part of that has to do with rotation mainstays—such as Josh Tomlin and Jeanmar Gomez, now followed by Carlos Carrasco—heading to Cleveland to be replaced by young guys from Akron. Part of it has to do with an unpredictable offense.

It looked to be the latter during the early portion of the Clippers’ tilt with Indianapolis last night, as 24-year-old right-hander Paolo Espino made his sixth AAA start. Espino was solid early, working around a walk and a single in the first inning and breezing through the second inning unscathed. But, his offense didn’t get a base runner until the third inning. Espino gave up a two-out, two-run double in the bottom of the third, and the way the offense was scuffling early it looked like he might be on the short-end. [Read more...]

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Da Clip Show: Keeping an Eye on the Tribe’s AAA Squad – 7/13/10

July 13, 2010 by 1 Comment

Clip Show aims to be your weekly update for all things Columbus Clippers. Jacob in control here this week with DP on vacation, but check back each Tuesday afternoon for records, rosters, and performance updates on some of the top prospects in the Tribe system.

Despite a rough week overall, the Clippers head to the All-Star Break this season with a sizable 7.5 game lead in the IL West Division. With only 50 some odd games remaining, that should definitely put the franchise in a position to compete for the championship come later this September. While many players continue to move up I-71 from Columbus to Cleveland, the Clippers roster should include many if not all of the top prospects in the organization by the end of the year. A tough pennant race always attracts the best and it should be even more exciting second half down at Huntington Park.

This Week: 2-4
Current Record: 55-36, 1st place (of four) in ILW (International League West)

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Clippers Notch Walk-off Win Over Chapman, Louisvile

June 2, 2010 by 3 Comments

The night started as a matchup between the Clippers’ best starter and the Cincinnati Reds’ biggest phenom. Josh Tomlin and Aroldis Chapman went toe-to-toe for seven innings apiece; but while Chapman left the game with a 3-2 lead after seven innings, the game came down to the Clippers’ hottest hitter and pitcher.

Frank Herrmann pitched two perfect innings in the clutch, and Jordan Brown knocked a walk-off double to score Nick Weglarz in the ninth to give the Clippers a 4-3 win and a 6-1 record on their current home-stand. Herrmann moves to 3-0 on the year with a 0.31 ERA, and runs his consecutive-scoreless-innings streak to 27.0 innings. Herrmann struck out three and didn’t allow a Bats hitter to reach in his two innings of work. And, his three strike outs all came in the 9th inning when he fanned the side to slam the door and set up the Clippers’ last-at-bat heroics.

Both starting pitchers were solid through seven innings, with Tomlin allowing three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out two. Chapman worked seven as well and allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five. [Read more...]

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Da Clip Show: Keeping an Eye on the Tribe’s AAA Squad – 5/18/10 – “The Big Smooth” Edition

May 18, 2010 by 7 Comments

Clip Show aims to be your weekly update for all things Columbus Clippers. Check back each Tuesday afternoon for team records, roster updates, and performance updates on some of the brightest prospects in the Tribe system.

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The wheels came off the train just a bit this week, as the Clippers found themselves coming back home mired in a four-game losing streak. The bats had cooled (only 2.5 runs per game during the losing streak) and the pitching wasn’t getting it done (almost 7 runs per game allowed during the streak). But, as they’ve done much of this young season, the club managed to right the ship [rim shot] and finish the week on a high note winning two in a row to maintain their 3-game lead in the IL West. Let’s take a closer look at the Clippers’ week…

This Week: 3-4
Current Record: 24-15, 1st place (of four) in ILW (International League West)

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While We’re Waiting… LeBron’s Shoes, NBA Finances and Draft Trades

April 18, 2010 by 10 Comments

While We’re Waiting serves up an breakfast buffet of WFNY-esque goodies for your daily viewing pleasure (on weekends too!!) Have something else you think we should see? Send it to our fancy tips email address at tips@waitingfornextyear.com.

Denny’s in love. This here is a pretty sweet video of the shoes that LBJ is wearing for the playoffs. Listen to the process from the designer himself. [Nike Basketball/YouTube]

A very detailed article from this NY paper about NBA finances. One surprising fact? Supposedly, the Lakers made $50 million last season while the Cavs are set to lose nearly $20 million this year: “So, despite the Cavs playing to sellout crowds during most of the James era, and getting top dollar from other revenue streams, including concessions and parking, having James on the team has been a losing proposition, at least when it comes to the team’s finances.” [Mitch Lawrence/New York Daily News]
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Return of CLIP SHOW! Keeping an Eye on the Tribe’s AAA Squad – 4/13/10

April 13, 2010 by 8 Comments

Clip Show aims to be your weekly update for all things Columbus Clippers. Check back each Tuesday afternoon for team records, roster updates, and performance updates on some of the brightest prospects in the Tribe system.

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It definitely feels like spring. The Clippers are back, I’ve been able to take in two games in beautiful Huntington Park, and I’ve enjoyed seeing Carlos Santana almost a little too much. But hey… I need to enjoy it while he’s still here. Let’s take a closer look at the Clippers’ week…

This Week: 3-2
Current Record: 3-2, t-1st place (of four) in ILW (International League West)

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Tribe Roster Moves – Chisenhall, Hodges, Donald Sent Down (UPDATE-Kerry Wood out 6-8 Weeks)

March 20, 2010 by 3 Comments

With opening day just over 3 weeks away, the Indians continue to round out their roster as Spring Training progresses.  This afternoon, the Tribe sent down 3 prospects to the minors.  Lonnie Chisenhall, the Tribe’s 2nd rated prospect behind Carlos Santana according to Baseball America, was re-assigned to minor league camp.  Chisenhall was called up to Akron towards the end of last season and that is where he should start this year at 3B.  As Jacob, a farm system expert, wrote last week, Chisenhall sparked the Aeros to an Eastern League title last season and he expects him to be called up to Columbus before this summer is over.

Hodges has had an extremely successful spring at the plate.  He is tied for the team lead in homers and second behind Grady in RBI as he has gone 10 for 24 and batted at a .417 clip.  Hodges was optioned to AAA Columbus.  Hodges hit .265-.307-.383 with 5 homers in 86 games with the Clippers last season.  While he has had an impressive spring, Hodges is not considered a Top 10 prospect in the Indians organization.  In addition to Hodges, Jason Donald, who came over in the Cliff Lee trade, was also optioned to AAA Columbus where he will play shortstop.

***UPDATE:  More Tribe roster news – The AP is reporting that Kerry Wood has a moderate strain in his upper back and is out 6-8 weeks for the Tribe.  Chris Perez will be your closer to start the season.

Also, vote for Scott a few times this weekend when you get a chance…we must not tire for the cause is great…

(Photo: Chuck Crow/Plain Dealer)

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Cleveland Indians Offseason News: 40-Man Roster, Rule V Draft and Free Agency

November 21, 2009 by 4 Comments

Jeanmar GomezThe Indians brought seven new minor leagues into the mix on their their official 40-man roster Friday morning. TD first mentioned the story on the blog yesterday in talking about how Jordan Brown finally received his well worth promotion to the big leagues. That was not the only story of the day however, or even the Indians offseason as it stands right now, and thus here is a breakdown of the other players in that 40-man move and some other things for the coming weeks.

RHP Jeanmar Gomez: The young kid that threw a perfect game and also won Eastern League Pitcher of the Year honors for Akron this season led the class of the other six people rostered by the Indians yesterday. The 21-year-old Venezuelan is just a week older than close friend Hector Rondon, but showed similar promise last season. His final numbers of 10-4 with a 3.43 ERA in 22 Akron starts showed he is relatively close to MLB potential, and could be an option down the stretch this year if absolutely needed. He will probably start the season in Columbus alongside Rondon in 2010.

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Jordan Brown, Others added to 40-man Roster

November 20, 2009 by 8 Comments

j_brownThis morning, the Cleveland Indians announced that they have purchased the contracts of seven players and added them to their 40-man roster.  Among the seven is Jordan Brown, whom we have discussed around these parts for a good portion of the last two seasons.

With Andy Marte getting his just due with the big boys last season, the move kept Brown with the Columbus Clippers.  In fact, Brown was in Triple-A for two straight seasons – something that is not very common among top prospects.  But with the influx of young talented outfielders like Matt LaPorta and Michael Brantley, Brown had been placed on the back burner despite solid hitting statistics.

The team press release had the following on Brown: [Read more...]

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The Impending Arrival of Wes Hodges

April 11, 2009 by 3 Comments
Wes Hodges - The Third Baseman of the Future

Wes Hodges - The Third Baseman of the Future

Last year, I was a member of the press box staff for the Akron Aeros. In my various positions last year, I was an assistant scorekeeper, line score operator and music director, and in these various roles I had the pleasure of witnessing some phenomenal prospects leading the Akron Aeros to their third Eastern League Championship appearance in four years.

Randy Newsom, Trevor Crowe, David Huff, Matt LaPorta, Chris Gimenez, Scott Lewis, Stephen Head, and many others spent a significant amount of time with the Double-A affiliate last season. But out of all of these players, Wes Hodges arguably stuck out the most as arguably the most sure-fire future Major Leaguer.

The 24-year-old former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket is currently starting everyday in Columbus for the Clippers, in a stellar infield that also includes prospects Jordan Brown and Luis Valbuena, and the artist formerly known as Andy Marte. What makes Hodges special is that he has shown absolutely consistent production at all levels of the game.

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Indians Reduce Roster by 15 Players

March 19, 2009 by 15 Comments

adam-miller-indians

With the start of the regular season just weeks away, Eric Wedge and company are facing their final roster decisions.  Today, they took one step towards the final roster for opening day.

The following players have been optioned to Triple-A Columbus:

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Cactus League Update: Jhonny Peralta Swinging Well

March 4, 2009 by 9 Comments

(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

If you’re one for Cactus League final scores, the Indians have gone 1-1-1 over the past three games.  After topping the Rockies 6-4 on Sunday, the Indians have lost to the Rangers (8-7) and managed to rally to a 9-9 tie with the Kansas City Royals.  Yes, they have those during Spring Training.

But we all know that the final score isn’t exactly what counts; it is what happens within the box score that truly matters.

At the plate, the Indians have seen some solid appearances by those already with the team along with those vying for a spot in the future.  Jhonny Peralta hit a two-run home run (knocking in Trevor Crowe) on Sunday.  He kept the power streak going through yesterday, clubbing three hits including a double and a three-run shot off of the Royals’ Zach Grienke.  Peralta is currently hitting .636 (7-for-11) during spring training, and appears primed to follow up right where he left off last season.

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Tribe Invite 16 Minor Leaguers to Goodyear

January 16, 2009 by 7 Comments

With spring training just around the corner, the Cleveland Indians have officially invited 16 (non-roster) minor leagues to join them at their new Goodyear, Arizona confines.

OF: Matt LaPorta
OF: Michael Brantley
LHP: Ryan Ledell
LHP: David Huff
3B: Wes Hodges
IF: Stephen Head
1B: Beau Mills
1B: Jordan Brown
1B: Michael Aubrey
RHP: Kirk Sarloos
RHP: Greg Aquino
RHP: Tomo Ohka
C: Damaso Espino
IF: Andy Cannizaro
IF: Jesus Merchan
IF: Wilson Valdez

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