Clippings 6-17-09

The Clippers dumped Rochester 10-3 last night to even the series… tonight’s first pitch is slated for 7:05pm.

* The Famous Chicken makes his annual stop in Columbus tonight. Click here for an interview I conducted with the most beloved mascot in sports. The national media was been reporting the chicken may soon retire.

* Indians Assistant General Manager Chris Antonetti is in town for the series with Rochester. He’s mostly watching Matt LaPorta at first base to see if he’s a viable option for the Indians. LaPorta has been splitting time between first and the outfield since returning from Cleveland, but he’ll play exclusively at first while Antonetti is here.

* The Tribe announced they’ve signed five more draft picks:

RHP Austin Adams (5th round, Faulkner University)
RHP Cory Burns (8th round, Arizona)
RHP Preston Guilmet (9th round, Arizona)
RHP Dale Dickerson (16th round, Nicholls State)
RHP Tyler Sturdevant (27th round, New Mexico State)

* The Clippers put together a seven-run fourth inning in last night’s win. The largest inning this season was eleven runs on June 1st against Norfolk. The eleven runs tied a franchise record.

* The Columbus-Cleveland shuttle is about to get very busy again. Aaron Laffey will pitch for the Clippers tomorrow on a rehab assignment. Jake Westbrook and Scott Lewis are expected to pitch for the Clippers very soon. No word on whether Asdrubal Cabrera and Grady Sizemore are candidates to make a stop in Columbus at some point during they’re recovery.

* The coaching staffs for the Triple-A All Star Game have been announced:

International League
Manager: Rick Sweet (Louisville)
Coach: Gary Allenson (Norfolk)
Coach: Ken Oberkfell (Buffalo)

Pacific Coast League
Manager: Randy Ready (Portland)
Hitting Coach: Brian McArn (Sacramento)
Pitching Coach: Dwight Bernard (Tacoma)

I’ll be back with lineups and notes in a bit.