Right up until first pitch the website told me that Joe Martinez was going to start. I stuck by my guns and maintained that it would be Jeanmar Gomez. Lo and behold, ETrain 1, Clippers.com 0. Nice.
Just like Jeanmar's first start since his recent demotion. While he was not dominant, Gomez (2.45 ERA) did exactly what he needed to after his teammates spotted him a 6-zip lead, he pitched well enough to win. After five shutout Gomez did falter in the sixth, loading the bases before Frank Herrmann gave up a slam. Even so, Jeanmar allowed just five hits and struck out seven in running his AAA record to 3-0. I think that's a good place for him to stay.
Jason Kipnis and Cord Phelps led the charge at the dish, each socking a two run homer. Phelps (.318) added a second hit and a third RBI. Kipnis (.286) also singled and scored. Lonnie Chisnehall's hit streak ended at nine, but Ezequiel Carrera slashed two singles and is hitting .405 with a .968 OPS over his last 10. Josh Rodriguez, the player added at the expense of Jordan Brown (.286 since the trade), went 0-for-2 and has just one hit in eleven trips as a Clipper.
Tomorrow is a businessman's special at 11:35a with David Huff starting. I will be basking in the sunshine along with the team. Come and join us.
Other Minor Points of Interest --
Kelvin De La Cruz upped his record to 2-3 as the Aeros defeated Erie 4-1. De La Cruz (2.32) threw five scoreless, allowing two hits and four walks while striking out 7. Nick Hagadone (1.74) pitched perfectly through the six and seventh before loading the bases on two walks and a hit in the 8th. Cory Burns (4.85) let the run in on a double play ball, but did not allow a baserunner in picking up his tenth save. Jared Goedert (.143) was 1-for-3 with an RBI in his second game of rehab.
LeVon Washington's modest hit streak came to an end at four games. Washington (.200) went 0-for-4 with three K's as the Captains lost to Dayton.
Cheers.