more history today

Today Gavin Floyd will take to the hill in a big game for the White Sox as they try to catch the Twins in the AL Central, Jay Happ will face the Brewers for Houston, and Kyle Drabek will make his major league debut for Toronto against the Orioles.

This marks the first time 3 former BlueClaws will make major league starts on the same day, and none of them is pitching for the Phillies. It has been 10 years and, with the Phillies trading like a day-trader on Wall street, former BlueClaws are popping up on rosters all over the majors!

Speaking of the BlueClaws, emotion ran high last night in Greenville, as the 'Claws evened the SAL Championship Series at a game each with a 6-1 win over the Drive that featured a bench clearing brawl after Derrick Gibson of the Drive tried to bowl over Sebastian Valle at home plate in the bottom of the 5th inning. He was out and then the talking began, the benches cleared, and 2 players from each team were ejected. So this sets up an emotional Game 3 tomorrow here in Lakewood. The remainder of the series will be in First Energy Park Thursday, Friday and, if necessary, Saturday.

playoffs are here

With Travis d'Arnaud and Anthony Gose both on the DL, the Dunedin Blue Jays were shut out on 3 hits by Tampa in game 1 of the FSL playoffs last night. The pair were the catalyst in the BlueClaws playoff run in 2009.

Speaking of the BlueClaws, Lakewood opens defense of their SAL title with game 1 of their best of 3 series tonight in Hickory. Trevor May will take the hill for the 'Claws.

In Trenton tonight, the Thunder will face Eastern League pitcher of the year Kyle Drabek (14-9) and the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in game 1 of the best of 5 series for the a berth in the EL championship series.

Out west, Adrian Cardenas and Mike Taylor and the rest of the Sacramento River Cats will face Andy Baldwin and Tacoma in the opening game of their best of 5 series in the PCL semifinals.

Kennelly big game not enough

My HomeSider of the day for Sunday is Tim Kennelley. Tim was 3 for 4 on Sunday, including a double, his 3rd home run, and 5 RBI in the Thresher's 8-7 loss to Daytona. On the year, Kennelley is hitting .253 in 65 games for Clearwater with 34 RBI. He has struck out only 32 times in 225 at bats this year, his second year in the FSL. Tim hit .303 in 76 games for Clearwater before finishing 2009 in Reading (.256 in 37 games).

How about that game in Philadelphia Sunday! Cole Hamels got the best of Matt Maloney, 1-0 as the Phils completed their sweep of the first place Reds. Maloney (0-2) went 6 in his second major league start this year, and gave up just 1 run on 4 hits and a walk, but Hamels (7-7) could not be beat. Cool Cole threw shut out ball for 7.2 innings, yielding just 6 hits and 3 walks in a classic "bend but don't break" performance. It was his first win since June 13.

All the reports I see about Domonic Brown say that his removal from yesterday's "Future Stars Game" in Anaheim was purely precautionary. Reports say Dom "tweaked" his hamstring. I await the good news that Domonic will be in Lehigh Valley's lineup when they resume play Thursday night in Louisville.

HomeSiders face off!

In the first ever match-up of former BlueClaws starters in the major leagues, Matt Maloney (0-1) will face Cole Hamels (6-7) as the Reds and Phillies wrap up their 4-game series Sunday afternoon at Citizen's Bank Park going in to the All-Star break.

Saturday's HomeSider of the day has to be Gavin Floyd. Gavin won again for the white hot White Sox, beating the Royals, 5-1. Gavin went 7.2, giving up just 1 run. In his last 7 starts, Floyd has averaged over 7 innings per start, while posting a 1.25 ERA and improving to 5-7 after a rough start (2-6, ERA 6+)

Yanks call up Golson

With Curtis Granderson put on the 15-day DL by the Yankees, the Bronx Bombers have called up former BlueClaw Greg Golson. "Golie" made his debut last night as a defensive replacement and made a nice catch against the wall to help the Yanks beat the Orioles, 4-1.

Speaking of former Lakewood speedsters, Anthony Gose stole 3 more bases (he is 10 for 15) last night in Brevard County, helping Clearwater to an 8-4 win over the Manatees. Hietor Correa improved to 4-0, going 5 innings and allowing 4 runs, all unearned. Matt Rizzotti continues to make his case for a promotion, banging out 3 more hits to up his average to .381. Surely they can use his bat in Reading!

Donald hot

Jason Donald has been very hot for the last week for the Columbus Clippers, going 12 for 23 (.522) in the last 8 games. Overall "J.D." is hitting .333 for the Indians affiliate, who will be in the area to take on both Lehigh Valley and Scranton over the next week.

Among the former BlueClaws taking the hill tonight; Gavin Floyd for the White Sox, Cole Hamels for the Phillies, and Hietor Correa for Clearwater.

On a personal note, for those of you who have been asking why I have not been posting as often, the answer is 2-fold. First, my life has gotten exceptionally busy and I do not find myself with the time that is required to do this. Second, when I started this, it was because the BlueClaws were really not doing anything like it. Now they have an excellent alumni report and the BlueClaws blog does a great job staying on top of things. Also, Greg Giambarrese gives a nightly report during the game broadcast. So I will try to fill in the gaps if I notice they miss anything.

Monaterios makes 1st start

After making 7 relief appearances and apparently impressing Joe Torre enough, Carlos Monasterios was rewarded with his first major league start against the Pirates last night at Dodger Stadium. On a limited pitch count to build up his arm strength, Carlos threw 4 inning (73 pitches), yielding just 1 run on 4 hits and 2 walks, leaving the game with a 4-1 advantage. It seems he has earned another start, maybe Thursday against Milwaukee.

The Baltimore Orioles have called up Alfredo Simon, and he has made 3 appearances this week, throwing 3 scoreless frames and recording 2 saves, 1 against the Yankees Tuesday and another one against Boston last night.