The IBI Digest catches you up on anything you might have missed over the past week at Indians Baseball Insider and also notes some of the more popular columns posted at the major news sites and blogs.
The Cleveland Indians selected the contract of righty reliever Matt Langwell from Triple A Columbus. In conjunction with the Langwell call-up, lefty Scott Barnes was optioned back to Columbus after getting roughed up during Friday night’s/Saturday morning’s rain delayed game.
Zach McAllister has been one of the most important dominoes in a string that have tumbled to make the Indians a legitimate contender. The IBI's Michael Hattery must confess though that until the last few months he never thought Zach was anything more than an innings eating fourth starter. Now he thinks he could be a solid number two starter. He explains in his latest Trend Spotting piece...
After more than four hours of rain delays and just one hit, there really is not too much that can be said about the Indians' 9-2 loss to the Rays Friday. Once again, the team's left-handed relief options failed them, and the contest quickly became a forgettable one. Join the IBI's Jake Dungan as he looks back on the rough night and offers his Second Thoughts and some key takeaways.
There have been some strange Cleveland Indians' games in the years, but perhaps few have been any stranger than what we saw Friday. After more than four hours of rain delays, the Cleveland Indians fell to the Tampa Bay Rays 9-2 Friday. The weather was not the only ugly thing about the contest either as the Indians mustered only one hit. Join the IBI's Jim Berdysz as he provides all the play-by-play and recaps the unforgettable night.
As the season moves into the hot summer months, the only thing heating up faster than the temperature is Ronny Rodriguez’ bat. The Akron second baseman was 2-3, with a three-run home run Friday night as the Aeros outlasted the Reading Fightin’ Phils, 7-5, in the opening game of a three-game series at First Energy Stadium.
In retrospective, the Clippers might have wished that the downpour prior to Friday’s action would have canceled the game all together. After the hour and 15 minute rain delay, Columbus was beat up in an 11-0 routing by the Indianapolis Indians.
It was a rainy night around Ohio, and while a some games were delayed, everyone was able to play. On the farm there were a few highlights with Tyler Holt and Ronny Rodriguez having big games for Akron and Mason Radeke making an impressive start for Lake County. Join the IBI's Arthur Kinney as he takes us Around the Farm and recaps the minor league action from Friday night.
The Lake County Captains (18-33) scored one run in the sixth inning and put them on the winning side of a 1-0 pitchers duel against the Dayton Dragons (23-31) on Friday night. With the win, Lake County has won three straight games for the first time in 2013.
The Carolina Mudcats fell 8-3 in the series opener with the Winston-Salem Dash at BB&T Ballpark Friday night. Right-handed pitcher Nick Pasquale started the game for the Mudcats, tossing 4.2 innings and allowing three runs on five hits. Lefty Francisco Jimenez took the loss for the Mudcats pitching 2.1 innings and allowing two runs on three hits.
With Chris Perez's recent injury and Vinnie Pestano's struggles, the Cleveland Indians' bullpen has been in shambles. Manager Terry Francona recently announced that Pestano would assume closing duties in Perez's absence, but was it the right decision? Join the IBI's Steve Orbanek for his weekly column, Orbiting Cleveland, as he makes the argument that it should actually be right-hander Cody Allen coming on in the ninth for the Indians.
Most of us who play baseball video games dream of seeing our name and likeness as a part of the game. Unlike most of us, Akron Aeros outfielder Carlos Moncrief has a chance at achieving that dream. Moncrief is playing at the Double-A level for the first time in his career and is doing a good job, though he has room for improvement. When he is on, though, Moncrief really puts on a show -- something he enjoys doing. Jim Piascik recently spoke with Moncrief about taking over games, his impressive power, and what he has to do over the rest of the season to be successful.
There’s certainly nothing wrong with removing any drama from a ballgame and simply battering your opponent into submission in the span of roughly ten minutes. Like a high-pressure system rolling along the radar screen, the Tribe bats cracked six consecutive two-out hits off Reds pitchers Homer Bailey and Alfredo Simon in the fourth inning, then left an eerie calm in their wake for the rest of the night. Andrew Clayman shares his second thoughts on a big Indians win...
After a one-week sabbatical, the guys are back to discuss all the latest Tribe and MLB news! The Indians skidded a bit last week, but snapped out of it with a two-game home series sweep against the Reds. Can Cleveland hold their own against the baseball elite and keep pace with the Tigers for the division lead? Jake and Hayden talk about all of that and more....
Jim Piascik was at Akron's 15 inning win Thursday night and he only has one thing to report from it: it was long. Outside of a relatively boring game in Akron, the Mudcats made a late charge at a victory, some Lake County players showed some power, and a Columbus outfielder displayed why he may be a major league option at some point in 2013. To find out all you need to know about Thursday in the minor leagues, join Jim as he goes Around The Farm.
The 2013 Cleveland Indians Baseball Insider book featuring the Indians' Top 100 Prospects and more is now available. Also, previous editions from 2008-2012 are also available at a discounted rate. Just click on the book image for more information. Thanks again for all the support!
