Morning At the Clip Joint

Classy.  Through the haze of my fever I did follow the Clippers game via Gameday.  I wish that I had not.  The Columbus pitchers were bound to throw up a stinker and Monday morning affair was it.  Corey Kluber (7.45 ERA) started and was bad (4.2 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, HR, 2 WP), Joe Martinez (7.27) followed and was worse (2.1 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, BB, K, 2 HR, WP), but neither has anything on Jess Todd (15.43).  Todd surrendered 3 earned on five hits, including a homer, in his inning of work.  The Clips lost 13-5.

There was no offensive standout.  It was one of those games where if you have to pick a player of, you look at the stat lines and just shake your head.  The most interesting thing that I can tell is that Lonnie Chisenhall went 0-for-2 with 2 walks, a run scored and a K, dropping his season average to exactly .200.

Louisville comes to town tomorrow at 6:35p.  With Martinez throwing today, a starter will need to be promoted from Akron to take the pill.  All indications are that that man will be Scott Barnes.

Other Minor Points Of Interest --

One reason that Barnes is nearly a lock to get the recall is that Kelvin De La Cruz made his scheduled start tonight for Akron.  De La Cruz (1-2, 1.80) earned his first win of the season by scattering six hits over five innings.  Kelvin allowed just one run while walking one and striking out nine.  Nice.

Nick Hagadone (0.00) followed with his fourth consecutive scoreless appearance of the year.  In eight and two thirds Hagadone has allowed five hits and struck out ten.  The most encouraging number is the goose egg in the base on balls column.  Even though Nick has been labeled a starter in the past, he averaged less than three innings a start before his conversion to the 'pen last season and only commands two pitches.  Most project the big lefty (6'5", 230) as a dominant back end guy.

Also, props to Drew Pomeranz (pictured at top), who took home the Carolina League pitcher of the week honors.

Cheers.