The Clippers lost 3-1 to Charlotte last night, falling below the .500 mark (26-27). Columbus now leads Louisville by just half a game in the West Division.

* Travis Hafner will be in the Clipers lineup again tonight. This is the final day of his 20-day rehab assignment. It is unknown what will happen next with Pronk.

”We’ll look at him here, and if all goes well, he’ll be with us for Friday,” Eric Wedge told the Akron Beacon-Journal. The ABJ’s Sheldon Ocker has more in his Indians Notebook.

Pronk’s return to the Indians seems a little unlikely considering his shoulder hasn’t allowed him to play three consecutive days.

Other options include:

A) A trip to Goodyear, Arizona for a continuation of the rehab.
B) Staying with the Clippers and starting over with another 20 days… Hafner would need to give consent to start another minor league assignment.

Hopefully, we’ll know more after the game tonight. Hafner has been on the DL since April 29th with a strain and fatigue in his surgically repaired right shoulder. 

* Joe Smith is expected to pitch tonight for Columbus. Smith will be making his third appearance in his rehab stint. Smith was shelved May 2nd with a strained rotator cuff.

* Former Clippers pitching coach Steve McCatty has been named to the Washington Nationals staff. McCatty takes over for Randy St. Claire, who was dismissed. Here is the story: Nats let pitching coach St. Claire go

* The Clippers Booster Club is chartering a bus to the Indians-Reds game on Friday, June 26th. Visit the Booster Club web site or call Sharon Grubb at 614-431-8981.

* Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera left Tuesday’s game after colliding with Minnesota’s Brendan Harris in the first inning. Cabrera suffered a dislocated shoulder, but there has been no indication whether a trip to the disabled list is needed. The Indians currently have eight players on the DL, second most in MLB. Josh Barfield would be a likely candidate to replace Cabrera on the roster. Barfield is just 1-for-16 in the last five days, dropping his average to .220.

* Interested in sports broadcasting? The legendary Patrick Kinas, voice of the Carolina Mudcats, is hosting a camp in Raleigh, North Carolina from July 6-8. Visit the camp’s site for more details.

* George Foster will appear at Huntington Park June 12-14. He’ll sign autographs for a fee and baseball, bobbleheads and baseballs will be available. Look for him at the NAPA Information Booth behind home plate.

I’ll have plenty more later… keep checking back or you might miss something important!

Columbus and Charlotte meet tonight at 6:35pm at Huntington Park…

* The pitching rotation in Columbus and Cleveland is very much up in the air. Anthony Reyes is on the Indians DL (and may be finished for the season) and David Huff has an ERA of 17.55 in two starts. That means the Tribe probably need starters for Wednesday and Thursday. The Clippers still need to fill Jeremy Sowers’ spot for Thursday vs. Charlotte.

*  Travis Hafner is slated to return to the Clippers at the end of the week after taking BP in Cleveland today and tomorrow. Hafner left Sunday’s game with a tight back, but the Indians don’t consider it to be serious. Here’s the story from MLB.com: Hafner has minor setback during rehab

* Wes Hodges continues to do speed drills before Clippers game. Hodges, on the disabled list since May 13, continues to recover from a sprained right wrist after flying to Baltimore to see a specialist.

* I chatted with Nick Kubik of WELW 1330 AM and WHK 1420 AM on his Sunday night show. Here is the link to our award winning conversation about various Clippers/Indians topics.

* Clippers pitching coach Scott Radinsky has been away from the team since Saturday after the passing of his father-in-law. Tim Belcher, the Indians roving pitching coordinator, is the acting pitching coach.

* The Clippers are currently 22-23, but tied for first in the West Division with Indianapolis. Louisville suffered a recent eight-game losing streak and Toledo has now lost nine straight.

* Jordan Brown was named IL Batter of the Week yesterday. He batted .519 (14-for-27) with 3 HR, 7 RBI, and a 1.000 slugging percentage. Brown was third in the league in batting entering Monday.

*  Stephen Head may be headed to Goodyear, Arizona to continue recovering from a knee injury that has bothered him since March. Torey Lovullo has said if significant progress isn’t made by June 1st, Head may go to Arizona to rehab. 

* The Clippers beat Lehigh Valley 8-4 last night in the opening game of the series. The Clippers are 3-2 on the current home stand.

* OF Stephen Head was sent to a medical specialist in Cleveland to evaluate his knee. Some minor structural damage was found so Head has been complete shut down from all baseball activities for the next two weeks. Head was placed on the disabled list, retroactive to May 7th, because of a strain suffered while making a sliding catch in Durham two weeks ago. Head originally banged his knee against the outfield wall in an Indians spring training game in March.

* The Clippers added free agent signing RHP Blaine Neal on Monday. Neal pitched one inning, allowing one hit and two walks. Neal was released in spring training by the Phillies after a stellar season with Toledo last year. Neal was 1-0 with a 1.21 ERA in 36 games and 26 saves. Neal also pitched for the US Olympic Team in China.

* Right-hander Luis Vizcaino is expected to join the Indians bullpen this week. It was originally reported that he would join the Clippers, but now looks like he’ll go immediately to Cleveland in hopes of helping the bullpen. Vizcaino, 34, has played for seven previous big league teams. He is 34-27 with a 4.31 ERA in 532 games pitched over eleven seasons.

* Indians farm director Ross Adkins was in attendance for Monday and Tuesday’s games at Huntington Park. Adkins has been a busy man with players being shuttled to and from Cleveland. The Clippers have already made 46 transactions this season.

* Happy belated birthday to my brother Stuart (May 11), who taught me that drinking chocolate milk from a coffee cup is enough to make some people vomit.

* Pawtucket infielder Angel Chavez and Kirk Saarloos almost tangled on Saturday. Chavez grounded out and ran across the mound on his way back to the dugout. Saarloos shouted some words and Chavez stopped to retaliate. A couple Pawtucket players hustled out of the dugout, but the incident was quickly extinguished.

* Wes Hodges his first homer of the season on Sunday. It took 95 at-bats for Hodges to hit the first Triple-A home run (34th of his three-year career), but he’s played most of the season with a bad shoulder. Hodges has been strictly serving as designated hitter since April 27th because his rotator cuff is preventing him for throwing across the diamond. Hodges took some ground balls before Monday’s game, but he didn’t make any throws.

* Monday was the third anniversary of Andy Cannizaro’s walk-off homer at Cooper Stadium against The Richmond Braves. It is Cannizaro’s only game-winning homer run, coming in the 11th inning of a day game. Cannizaro has 15 career minor league homers and one in the bigs with Tampa Bay.

* Michael Brantley made the catch of the season on Saturday. If you missed, you can view it here. Brantley also homered in Tuesday’s game, hit first in Triple-A.

Game #2 of the series with the Iron Pigs is tonight at 6:35pm.

The Clippers try to snap a six game losing streak tonight against Pawtucket at 7:05pm.

* The Clippers have scored only nine runs in the last six games after scoring 24 runs in two games prior. The three scored in Thursday’s 4-3 loss in Norfolk is the highest total during the streak.

* With yesterday’s roster moves, the Clippers have now made 40 transactions this season. Only 19 moves in April and eleven in the first eight days of May.

* Clay Buchholz struck out eight batters and allowed only one hit in seven innings last night against Columbus. The Clippers finished with two hits and failed to score in a 4-0 defeat.

* The Clippers have failed to score at least four runs in 14 game this season, carrying a 2-12 record in those games.

* Jim Massie of the Columbus Dispatch put together on nice feature on Andy Marte. Click here to read it.

* Jamey Carroll played seven innings at second base in his Clippers debut while rehabbing from a broken hand. He is slated to be the designated hitter tonight and sit out Sunday.

* The Indians signed right-handed reliever Luis Vizcaino to a minor league contract. Word on the street is that he’ll join the Clippers soon.

* The Clippers are waiting on the verdict from Vinnie Chulk as to whether or not he’ll return. Chulk was designated by the Indians and has a May 15th out-clause in his contract. The Clippers currently have a seven-man bullpen despite only carrying eleven pitchers. Jack Cassel is not on the active roster, but is expected to be added for his next turn in the rotation.

* Huntington Park is flooded with little leaguers participating in the Aquafina Sectional Pitch, Hit and Run competition. I’m watching these kids and I’m very impressed by their skills. The winners will be recognized before tonight’s game. 

* Speaking of skills… The Bucket Boys will perform during tonight’s game.. they’re outstanding. See what I mean here: Bucket Boys Video

Tonight’s lineups, game notes and another edition of “Random Photos” are coming in a bit.

* The Clippers lost both games of Thursday’s doubleheader in Norfolk 5-2 and 4-3. Columbus has dropped five straight and finished the road trip 3-7.

* Tomo Ohka was scheduled to start the second game of the twinbill, but was scratched. Greg Aquino started and pitched one inning before newcomer Frank Herrmann entered to pitch three innings. Torey Lovullo said Ohka has been pushed back until Friday, moving the entire rotation back one day.

* Zach Jackson will be the replacement for Jeremy Sowers in the rotation.

* Jack Cassel is still slated to pitch when his turn in the rotation comes around. Cassel was transferred to the Mahoning Valley roster on Wednesday.

Projected Rotation:
Friday – RH Tomo Ohka
Saturday – RH Kirk Saarloos
Sunday – LH Zach Jackson
Monday – RH Jack Cassel
Tuesday – LH David Huff

* Clippers PR guru Anthony Slosser pointed out this statistic: The Clips are the only IL team that does not have a homer from the #3 spot in the lineup. Wes Hodges has mostly occupied that spot and he is homerless in 90 at-bats.

* Hodges has not played third base since last Monday because of a sore shoulder. The soreness doesn’t hamper his swing, but prohibits Hodges from lifting his arm above his head to make a throw.

* Rafael Perez, Tony Graffanino and Jamey Carroll are all expected to join the Clippers for Friday’s game versus Pawtucket:

Perez was optioned from Cleveland on Wednesday. He made 13 appearances this year for the Indians going 0-1 with a 15.19 ERA (10.2IP, 19H, 18R/ER, 9BB, 5K).

Graffanino was designated for assignment last Saturday. He was 3-for-23 (.130) in 7 games for Cleveland this year. Graffanino was ticketed to begin the season with Columbus, but he joined the Major League roster when Jamey Carroll went on the disabled list.

Carroll is on a rehab assignment after suffering a fifth metacarpal shaft fracture on his left hand.

He was hit by a pitch by Astros reliever Doug Brocail in the 9^th inning of an April 4th exhibition game against Houston at Minute Maid Park. It is Carroll’s first career stint on the disabled list at the Major League level. He batted .295 (18-61) with 7 runs scored, 2 doubles and 6RBI in 20 games this spring.

* Carroll does not count against the Clippers 24-man roster, but with the addition Perez and Graffanino a roster spot must be opened. The Columbus roster was a 23 after Jeremy Sowers was recalled by Cleveland.

It’s picture time…

HARBOR PARK WITHOUT THE TARP

DOWNTOWN NORFOLK

THIS IS A STATUE OF NEPTUNE (ROMAN GOD OF THE SEA) AT VIRGINA BEACH

That’s my broadcast partner (lower left corner) giving praise to Neptune.

Sorry for not having much recently, but we’re in Norflok and here’s the skinny:

* Trevor Crowe joined the team today. He’ll wear #6 and bat second in tonight’s lineup. I’ll post the lineups and game notes shortly.

* Wes Hodges is again the DH. He has been battling a sore shoulder and hasn’t played third base since last Monday. Torey Lovullo listed him as day-to-day. Hodges took six straight pitches and struck out in his final at-bat yesterday.

* Stephen Head is not in the lineup. He hasn’t been seen (in the lineup) since Friday’s game in Durham. Head aggravated his knee sliding for a ball in right field. He is also day-to-day, but then again… aren’t we all?

* Reliever Scott Roehl tweaked his groin and was placed on the disabled list today. Roehl has appeared in three games with a 3.38 ERA, one save, six strikeouts, three walks.

* INF Cristo Arnal was promoted from Kinston before yesterday’s game. Arnal has only played one game above class A (Akron in ’07). Lovullo said he’ll only be used in an “emergency situation”. He was 8-for-26 (.308) in eight games with Kinston.

* Matt LaPorta and Luis Valbuena both started for Cleveland yesterday in Detroit. LaPorta was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and Valbuena was 0-for-2 with a walk. Justin Verlander punched out eleven batters in the Tigers 3-1 win.

Clippers Head Groundskeeper Colin Lattimer made this comment to me last week: “Your blog is ok, but (Indianapolis broadcaster) Scott McCauley’s is exceptional.” Translation – You’re blog stinks.

I’ll try to do better, but I’d love any suggestions. Many of you have been very complementary and passed on some good ideas… more photos, injury news, etc.

Feel free to e-mail your thoughts sleo@clippersbaseball.com

* After last night’s crowd of 10,100, the Clippers lead all of minor league baseball in average attendance. Here is the leaderboard:
1. Columbus (INT) 8,770
2. Dayton (MID) 8,221
3. Sacramento (PCL) 8,211
4. Round Rock (PCL) 8,130
5. Lehigh Valley (INT) 8,024

* A capacity crowd is expected for tonight as well.

* Who’s hot?

Josh Barfield is batting .357 (10-for-28) since joining the Clippers. He has two doubles and five RBIs.

After a 2-for-4 night with a homer, Matt LaPorta is now batting .370 with 4 HRs and 11 RBIs.

Jordan Brown is 12 for his last 27 (.444) with three RBIs.

Michael Aubrey returned top lineup last night after a strained oblique muscule forced him to miss a few days, his .439 average is tops in the International League.

The Clippers are batting .293 as a team, second in the league begind Scranton/WB.

* Who’s not?

Matt Herges has allowed three earned runs in his last two games and blew a save. Herges has moved into the closer role with Greg Aquino on the disabled list (shoulder).

John Meloan was hit for six runs in his last 3.1 innings (three appearances).

The Clippers bullpen has given up seven runs in the last two games, including five in two innings last night.

* Clippers Audio and Video highlights are being posted on the web each night:
Click here for audio.
Click here for video.

* Adam Miller’s season is over. He’ll have surgery on his middle finger. Miller has been on the Clippers disabled list since opening day. Here is a story from MLB.com: Miller to have season-ending surgery

* Indianapolis Indians broadcaster Scott McCauley gives his thoughts on the new park. Click here for Scott’s blog.

* It’s time for some random pictures…

PRE-GAME AT HUNTINGTON PARK

 SCOREBOARD

RYAN MITCHELL WITH JON NUNNALLY

HALLWAY OUTSIDE THE MANAGERS OFFICE

* Tony Sipp made his Major League debut last night in the Indians 2-0 loss to the Royals. He pitched a scoreless 9th inning, striking out two.

* Here is today’s Indians Minor League Report:
MLR.4.23.09.pdf

* International League News & Notes:
IL News & Notes 4-23-09.pdf

More to come…

Sorry for neglecting the blog over the last few days… the first few days in the new ballpark can be a bit hectic… I did find time to dig up some goodies for today:

* Stephanie Storm of the Akron Beacon Journal has a nice story on Chris Gimenez: Indians prospect Gimenez catching on to role in Triple-A

* She also wrote about Michael Aubrey: Clippers slugger Aubrey wants back into the big leagues

* Greg Aquino will be available tonight as the closer. He successfully completed a light workout yesterday. Aquino felt an elbow “tweak” last Thursday in Toledo just before starting the ninth inning. Matt Herges has been the fill-in closer, but he allowed two runs last night and suffered his first blown save. Torey Lovullo said that Herges will now return to his eighth inning role.

* Tonight the Clippers and Blue Jackets are both playing in the Arena District. The Columbus Dispatch has some details on the parking situation: Parking setup faces test tonight

* Michael Brantley is slated to return to the lineup tonight. He sat out yesterday after leaving Sunday’s game with an aggravated hamstring.

* Andy Cannizaro got his first start of the season, going 2-for-5 with one RBI. He provided the Clippers first bases load hit of the season. The Clippers were 0-for-11 with the bases full prior to last night.

* Tonight’s game has been moved up to 6:05pm. Tomo Ohka will face Homer Bailey.

I’ll have more stuff later!

* Where are they now? Larry Broadway: The 2008 “Clipper of the Year” award winner is now with Indianapolis. Here is an interview I conducted with him:
Larry Broadway 4-15-09.MP3

* Who’s Hot and Who’s Not:

HOT – Michael Aubrey .542 (13-for-24), 1 HR, 7 RBI; Matt LaPorta .400 (8-for-20), 1 HR, 3 RBI;

NOT – Chris Gimenez .000 (0-for-18), 9 K; Ryan Edell 0-0, 16.20 ERA, 6 ER, 3.1 IP

* Chris Gimenez seems to be recovering fine from a concussion suffered Tuesday. He is listed as day-to-day.

* Josh Barfield will join the Clippers in the next couple days. He’ll play second base and outfield. Clippers second baseman Luis Valbuena will move to shortstop and third base a few times a week.

* Harold Cooper will be the Grand Marshal for the downtown “Opening Day Parade” on Saturday. Fromer Indians Bob Feller, Len Barker and Joe Charboneau will also be in attendance. The parade begins at 1:30pm in the Arena District.

* Tuesday (4/21) and Thursday’s (4/23) games will now start at 6:05pm instead of 6:35pm because the Columus BlueJackets are hosting Detroit in the NHL playoffs.

* Don’t forget… the first Dime-A-Dog Nigh at Huntington Park is Monday.

Tonight: Clippers at Toledo, 5:30pm on AM 920 WMNI.