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.
Down 2-1 in the ninth inning, first baseman Jesus Aguilar tied the game with an opposite field home run, just out of right fielder Steven Souza Jr.'s reach at the "It's A Whole New Ballgame" sign. After the two teams went six more innings, it almost literally was. The Akron Aeros (24-30) won 3-2 Thursday night in 15 innings, defeating the Harrisburg Senators (27-27) on a bases-loaded walk-off single by right fielder Carlos Moncrief.
The Ohio Cup will be staying in Cleveland after the Indians took down their state rival Cincinnati Reds for the second straight night, 7-1. Thursday’s series finale with the Reds can be summed up in one inning: the Tribe’s fourth inning. Cleveland bats caught fire in the inning, scoring all seven of their runs in the ballgame in frame off Cincinnati starter Homer Bailey. Join Jim Berdysz as he recaps Thursday's win.
Just two days ago, manager Jeff Isom critiqued that hitters on his team were trying too hard to hit that a four-run home run when they should just take what they’re given. Today, Freedom starter Brandon Mathes gave left fielder Kevin Berard a pitch in his wheel house, and Berard turned it into one of those four-run home runs previously mentioned. With two outs in the fourth inning, he hit a laser shot over the left field wall, capping a five run inning for the Crushers in which they took a 6-3 lead and never looked back.
The Carolina Mudcats fell into a hole early against the Wilmington Blue Rocks but rallied in the ninth inning before falling 4-3 on Thursday night. The loss was the Mudcats 15th one-run loss of the season, bringing the Mudcats record to 19-33.
The Columbus Clippers fell to the Louisville Bats 4-1 in the final game of the series Thursday night. The Bats snatched the series from the Clippers 3-1. Indians pitching prospect Danny Salazar picked up his first loss of the season (0-1, 2.08 ERA), pitching four innings and giving up three earned runs on six hits. Bats pitcher Greg Reynolds, on the other hand, pitched a near-complete game going 8.1 innings, allowing one earned run on nine hits.
The players the Indians might draft appears to be narrowing, which is of course natural as we are just a week from the draft. The IBI's Jeff Ellis has been hard at work researching and following players all year and provides a list of six players who he things will be there when the Indians pick at #5. There is a ton of debate about this pick, so he provides his thoughts why each player should and why they shouldn't be picked.
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!
