Indians Prospect Insider

It was a crazy week with player movement within the Indians system as many players were sent all over the place to cover for injuries and promotions in the upper levels. The big move of the week was Nick Hagadone coming back to Cleveland last night with Rafael Perez's trip to the 15-day DL. Arthur recaps them all!

The Indians had an exciting win last night with their first walkoff win of the year in a 3-2 win over the visiting Angels. With the win they find themselves all alone atop the AL Central standings. Jim Berdysz recaps Friday night's game and gives his "second thoughts" on the brilliant performances of Masterson and Pestano, the Indians' struggles with driving in runs, and more!

The Akron Aeros defeated the Altoona Curve 2-1 in the first game of their three game series. Reliever Bryan Price picked up the win in relief. “Bryan came in and really did a good job commanding his fastball," said Aeros Manager Chris Tremie. “He kept the ball down in the zone for an outstanding two and a third innings.” Price came into the game in the top of the sixth inning to relieve starter Giovanni Soto. The right-hander, who has an ERA of 1.42, faced nine batters and only walked one. He struck out five batters, all swinging.

The Columbus Clippers continued their ten game home stand on Friday night and squared off against the Pawtucket Red Sox, who are sitting atop the IL North standings. The Clippers beat the Red Sox 4-1 to avoid their first five game losing streak since 2010. Clippers pitcher Zach McAllister picked up his second win of the season after throwing seven strong innings and only giving up one earned run. “He had a lot of life on his fastball, and was able to get on top of his pitches,” Clippers' manager Mike Sarbaugh said after the game.

The Carolina Mudcats fell to the Salem Red Sox 7-2 on Friday night at LewisGale Stadium in Salem, Virginia. After a successful four game home-stand against the Lynchburg Hillcats where they won three out of four, Carolina was unable to produce much offense thanks to the dominating performance by Red Sox starting pitcher Brandon Workman. Allowing only three hits and striking out four batters in six solid innings of work, Workman earned his first victory of the season. Workman’s replacement, Red Sox reliever Manuel Rivera, struggled at times but was able to earn his first save.

The Peoria Chiefs defeated the Lake County Captains by a score of 3-0. The Chiefs pitching was the story of the game. Starter P.J. Francescon (2-1) pitched six innings allowing just two hits. He did not walk a hitter, and did not allow a run to score. Francescon struck out nine Captains hitters and earned the win. The dominant start was a big part of the victory for the Chiefs.

As Michael Corleone once said, "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in." Well, that's kind of how Indians fans feel about Matt LaPorta these days. Many had written him off this season, but now that he is hitting .371 with 6 homers in 18 games for Columbus, people can't help but be intrigued again. Tony discusses him and two dozen more players in the IPI's original Around the Farm.

Today the Cleveland Indians announced that they have placed left-handed reliever Rafael Perez on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 26th. To fill his spot in the bullpen and on the 25-man roster the Indians have recalled left-handed reliever Nick Hagadone from Triple-A Columbus. Perez has been diagnosed with a strained left latissimus and suffered the injury during his scoreless inning of work on Wednesday night against Kansas City.

In the week ending edition of Minor Happenings, Triple-A Columbus manager Mike Sarbaugh talks about several big league options for the Indians including Matt LaPorta, Russ Canzler, Cord Phelps, Lonnie Chisenhall and more. Also, updates on other players in the system such as Kyle Bellows, Luigi Rodriguez, Adam Abraham, Corey Kluber, Scott Barnes, Tyler Holt and more are provided!

The Radar Report slides into its new (and permanent) Friday slot and provides radar readings for the fastball and secondary offerings for several Indians prospects. This week's report includes information on Clayton Cook, Jose Flores, Cody Allen, Mike Rayl, Michael Goodnight, Kevin Slowey, Corey Kluber and more.

The Indians lost 4-2 on Thursday to the lowly Royals, and in the process lost the series. The Indians continue to struggle at home as they are averaging 3.5 runs a game and are 2-6, and now the Angels and their starting pitching staff comes to town this weekend. Jason Ruggiero recaps Thursday's loss and gives his second thoughts on what few things went right and so many things that went wrong.

Both the Columbus Clippers and Akron Aeros were off on Thursday, but even with a small slate of action in the Indians' system there was still a lot of excitement last night as both the Carolina Mudcats and Lake County Captains had walkoff wins. Gio Urshela sent everyone home happy in Carolina with a big blast, and Tony talks about him and lots more in IPI's original Around the Farm.

The Lake County Captains battled both the chill and the Peoria Chiefs in an extra-inning 7-6 victory on Thursday night. Right-hander Felix Sterling (0-0, 3.15 ERA) started for the Captains against Peoria’s Michael Jensen (3-1, 1.50), a righty from Salinas, California. Sterling sailed through two innings walking just two, but ran into trouble in the third inning. With one out and one man on, third baseman Wes Darvill sent a shot over the right field fence for his first career home run, giving Peoria a 2-0 lead.

Giovanny Urshela belted a three-run homer to left-center, and the Carolina Mudcats walked away an 8-5 winner over the Lynchburg Hillcats in front of 4,824 on Thursday afternoon at Five County Stadium. The final shot capped a four-run comeback by the Mudcats (10-9). The loss drops Lynchburg to 10-8. Dale Dickerson (1-2) was awarded the win by pitching the ninth inning. Juan Jamie (0-1) takes the loss after giving up the game winner.

Another start. Another underwhelming performance. And thus another sad chapter in the story of Ubaldo Jimenez as a Cleveland Indian. Last night Jimenez faced the Kansas City Royals in his fourth start of the 2012 campaign and once again there was not much to like. But Steve Orbanek thinks it is still too soon to give up on Jimenez and that he may still come around.

With their 10-game losing streak over, the prospects in Lake County are starting to show their colors. Cody Anderson shined on the mound, and Luigi Rodriguez and Bryson Myles were bright spots in the lineup. Lianna Holub reviews the week that was in her weekly Thursday notebook.