After six brilliant frames against Louisville in the second game, Huff loaded the bases with the first three Bats he faced in the 7th and then had to sit helplessly after handing the ball to Jensen Lewis with a 4-1 lead. Lewis promptly gave up an RBI single on his 2nd pitch, 4-2. Shades of spring training. Next, Lewis threw a wild pitch. 4-3, game tying run on third. After a pop out and an intentional walk, Jensen successfully completed the blown save by allowing another RBI single. I'd like to tell you what happened next, but, frankly, I don't understand it myself. Here is what Gameday gave me --
Michael Griffin flies into a force out, right fielder Bubbal Bell to catcher Luke Carlin. Zack Cozart out at home. Todd Frazier to third. Chris Valaika to to second. Michael Griffin to first. Two out.
I have absolutely no clue what that could even possibly mean. Are they calling it a fly out simply because it made it to the outfield? Did Bell let in drop on purpose to try to start a double play? Obviously the outfield was in, but WTF? Anyway, Lewis struck out the last guy and Josh Judy took the loss after giving up a solo shot to Reds' prospect Devin Mesoraco. Clippers fall, 5-4. Awful. All one can say is that that is why these guys are at AAA.
The Clips also lost the front end, 4-2. Although it was a rough day for many at the dish, Lonnie Chisenhall and Luis Valbuena were exceptions. The Chiz Kid (.292) was a combined 3-for-5 with deuces wild in walks, doubles and RBI. Luis (.412) was 3-for-7 with a Game 1 solo homer. Cord Phelps (.440) bounced back for three hits Game 2 after taking an 0-fer in the the top half, featuring a pair of strikeouts.
Columbus has an off day on Wednesday followed by another double dip, this time in Toledo. The Clippers will presumably send out Jeanmar Gomez and Alex White against the Mud Hens.
Other Minor Points of Interest -
Two more great second starts down on the farm came out sour as well.
In Akron, rostered southpaw Kelvin De La Cruz took a second straight tough loss. De La Cruz (0-2, 0.90) gave up a pair of unearned runs on two hits and three walks over five innings. At 6'5", 190, Kelvin will likely need to add mass in order to break through, still he K'ed 5 on Tuesday.
Trying to follow up the home opener's combined no-hitter, Michael Goodnight (great name!) dropped to 1-1 after allowing just a single run over five strong innings. A 13th round selection in 2010, Goodnight was tabbed the #1 for the Lake County Captains earlier this spring. On Tuesday he walked two, struck out five and allowed just two hits.
Cheers.
