the Columbus Claws

The Cleveland Indians have obtained R.J Swindel off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays this week. R.J. spent most of the season in the Milwaukee system, playing at Nashville and getting a cup of coffee with the Brewers. I am not sure how he ended up with the Rays, but he did pitch for the Columbus Clippers yesterday. There are now FIVE former BlueClaws with the Clippers!! Speaking of the Clippers, Lou Marson (.302) had 2 more hits for them in their loss at Toledo Monday. Jesus Merchan was 1 for 4, and is hitting just .179 in 8 games since coming off the DL.

Monday night in Memphis, the Sacramento River Cats hit 5 solo home runs to beat the Red Birds 5-3 in 10 innings, including the game tying shot in the 9th inning by Adrian Cardenas. Adrian has been slowly adjusting to AAA ball, after tearing up the Texas League, and has his average up to .211 with Sacramento. He just has too much ability to continue to struggle. He will hit, and with the Athletics out of the race in the AL west, a September call-up would not be out of the question.

In Las Vegas, Kevin Howard had 2 hits, including his 11th home run of the year, in the 51s' 4-3 loss to the Isotopes. Kevin is up to .297, with 50 RBI on the year.

In Lakeland, Jesus Villegas and Arlon Quiroz had 2 hits each, Mike Durant hit his 11th home run, and Jon Velasquez picked up his 2nd win for the Threshers in Clearwater's 5-1 victory. After winning 9 games for the BlueClaws in the first half, Velasquez has pitched very well for Clearwater, with limited results. He has posted a 2-5 mark, but with an excellent 2.91 ERA in 10 starts for the Threshers. Walter Tejeda recorded 4 outs for the Threshers and Mike Schwimer notched his 17th save, striking out both hitters he faced.

The BlueClaws dropped the finale of their road trip in Charleston, 4-1 to the River Dogs. Hietor Correa was the hard luck loser, throwing 6 innings and allowing only 2 earned runs on 6 hits and 2 walks, but it is hard to win when your team only gets 5 hits. Jeremy Hamilton had 3 of the 5 hits, 2 of them doubles. Jacob Diekman kept the streak going, pitching 2 more clean innings, running his total to 15 straight without allowing an earned run. Lakewood was 3-3 on the road trip and takes today off before opening a 3-game set against Hagerstown Wednesday night.