The Clip Joint

Matt Pagnozzi

The Clips (7-2) have played twice since last we spoke, splitting the pair with the Indianapolis Indians.  I took in the game live from Huntington Park on Wednesday night and watched as the boys launched 5 home runs in coming up on the wrong end of an 8-6 tally.  Today's businessman's special was much more true to from with Corey Kluber fanning 8 over 5 innings (3 H, 4 ER, 2 BB) in the 5-4 victory to move to 2-0.

Chad Huffman (.364) hit solo shots in both games, his first two bombs of the season.  Trevor Crowe (.389), Gregorio Petit (.235) and Matt LaPorta (.303) all also homered with the bases empty on Wednesday before Lonnie Chisenhall (.313) capped the scoring with an absolute monster 2-run dong that traveled over the Wendy's home run porch, the netting atop the roof and the entirety of the stadium before landing in a parking lot across Nationwide Avenue.  Still, the tater for LaPorta was his only hit in seven trips across both games and the Chiz Kid (after I applauded him for his plate discipline) fanned in 4 of 8 ABs.  Cord Phelps (.313) and Russ Canzler (.214) each added 3 hits to significantly improve their batting averages.

Kevin Slowey got the start on Wednesday and suffered through a wildly inconsistent start (7.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K).  Three of the five (including the two unearned) came across in the 3rd when throwing errors by Slowey (on a bunt) and catcher Matt Pagnozzi (on a pickoff attempt at third) helped Indy take the early lead.  Other than that, Kevin looked pretty good... except for the two big blasts his surrendered to center.  Speaking of pitching, Indianapolis starter Justin Wilson made the Clips look stupid for the first 6 innings in allowing just 2 hits and fanning seven.  Even more conspicuous was Indians' (stay with me, they are the Indianapolis Indians) closer Bryan Morris.  He came in having fanned 5 in his first (perfect) 1 1/3 innings of the season.  Think about it.  It's not a typo.  Last night, Morris surrendered the round trippers to LaPorta and Chisenhall (sandwiched around a walk to Canzler) before striking out the next three to escape with the win.  Yeah, that's 8 Ks in 2 1/3 now.

Today, the Clipper's bullpen was the true star as Frank Herrmann, Nick Hagadone and Chris Ray combined for four shutout innings, allowing just a hit and a walk while punching out 5.  Ray seems to be the default closer at this point, notching his 2nd save.  It's easy for the bullpen to do so well when most of them should be in the majors.

Still in search of their first off day of the season, Columbus plays at Louisville tomorrow with Scottie Barnes taking the hill at 7:05p.

P.s. I actually was motivated to take some pics last night, but somebody (who could that be?) forgot to charge my camera's battery.  Bollocks.