First off, congratulations to Rudy Owens, Starling Marte, and Jordy Mercer on being selected as the representatives for the Indians in the International League All Star Game on July 11th.
All eyes are now fixated on Starling more than anyone else in the system. As result by Jose Tabata's overall struggles and Alex Presley's inconsistency at the plate, people are clamoring for Starling Marte more than during Spring Training. He continued his torrid month of June at the plate (.304 average/.919 OPS) by going 2-for-5 with a double and five RBI against Toledo tonight. In addition, Marte touched up Mud Hens starter Andrew Oliver with a go-ahead three-run home run in the fourth inning. But the most impressive Marte stat for the night was all five of his RBI, including his double and three- run home run, came with two outs. For those who are curious on how Marte's stats are now, tonight's performance brought him to a .274 average and .812 OPS. Okay, all of you Pirate fans (or Starling Marte enthusiasts) can clean up your drool from your keyboards, smartphones, or iPads now. I know you are all probably thinking "So, uhhh, he's hitting good now when is he getting called up to take over for that "lazy bum" Tabata?"
Indians starter Rich VandenHurk had a rather sub-par outing on the hill allowing five earned runs, three walks, and nine hits through only five innings. But with the help of the offense, specifically on the shoulders of Starling Marte, he notched his seventh win of the season. This is probably the one slight blemish on what has been an outstanding season for VandenHurk. He improved his record to 7-0 on the season and has posted a 2.96 ERA.
Among other notable performances was Bryan Morris throwing two flawless innings in relief after his quick cup of coffee on the Pirates 25 man roster. Chris Leroux continued his rehab assignment by punching out one and allowing one walk en route to a scoreless ninth inning. The "Hit Collector" Matt Hague joined the Indians' hitting party with a 2-for-5 night with two RBI. Additionally, Jeff Clement raised his average to .300 for the season with a 2-for-5 night with two doubles.
AA Altoona | Altoona 4 Harrisburg Senators 2
Once again, congratulations to the Altoona Curve players selected to the Eastern League All-Star Game on July 11th: catcher Ramon Cabrera, pitcher Brandon Cumpton, and shortstop Brock Holt. First baseman Matt Curry continued his tear since returning from the Disabled List, as he hit his third home run in his last five games to lead the Curve past the Senators. Curry has hit .345 in eight games after missing nearly a month with a hamstring injury. The offense struggled overall, recording only five hits with no player having more than one. But Brandon Cumpton shut down Harrisburg with six shutout innings, giving up three hits and no walks while striking out four. Cumpton, who was named to the Eastern League All-Star team earlier in the day, doesn't have sexy peripheral numbers (23 BB, 59 K in 92.2 IP) but he lowered his season ERA to 3.21 and has been a steady presence in a rocky Altoona rotation all year. Jeff Inman pitched 1.1 scoreless innings, and Victor Black struck out one in the ninth for his fourth save. Black has been quietly effective for the Curve, with a 1.36 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 33 innings. Brock Holt remained on fire with a triple, and Robbie Grossman went 1-for-4.
A West Virginia | West Virginia 6 Lakewood Blueclaws 7
Well, no harm in losing to a team called the Blueclaws, am I right? What an awesome name! Anyways, Alen Hanson's persistent domination of the South Atlantic League was on display tonight as he went 3-for-4 at the plate with a double. This is after coming back from a minor wrist injury yesterday. Instead of playing his usual position at short, he was put in the DH spot tonight for precautionary reasons. As he continues to open up more eyes around the baseball world and ascend up the Pirates top prospect list, his average is now at .331. Fellow South Atlantic League All-Star and big bopper Gregory Polanco added to the 11 Power hits by going 1-for-4 with a double. The "Dominican Duo" of Hanson and Polanco have made this West Virginia Power squad a great team to follow all season. Jose Osuna brought his big boy bat tonight and touched up Blueclaws starter Colin Kleven for a two-run home run; his fifth on the season. Taylor Lewis also had an outstanding game going 3-for-4 with a double. Starter Ryan Hafner went four and two-thirds giving up three earned runs on five hits and two walks, raising his ERA to 6.46 on the season.
A Bradenton | Bradenton 4 Palm Beach Cardinals 10
Matt Benedict got bombed in his second straight start since being promoted from West Virginia, giving up six earned runs in five innings and taking the loss. His ERA rose to 9.64 with eight walks and only 2 strikeouts in his first two High-A starts. Four of the runs came in the first three innings, and Benedict couldn't get anyone out in a 6-run sixth inning. The bullpen couldn't pick him up either, as Kenn Kasparek gave up four runs in his only inning of work. The offense mustered a mere four hits, but somehow scored four runs out of it. Elevys Gonzalez, who was recently demoted from Altoona, hit a 2-RBI double in the seventh inning, and Kirk Singer doubled him home. Dan Grovatt and Mel Rojas Jr each went 1-for-3 with a walk.
A State College | State College 5 Mahoning Valley Scrappers 6
Jason Creasy struggled in his third appearance for the Spikes this season. The lanky 20 year old righty gave up four earned runs on six hits, two free passes, and allowed one home run in four and a third innings. That rose his ERA to 5.73 on the young but rather successful State College season. Speedy Gonzalez himself, aka 2012 Supplemental pick Barrett Barnes, was finally cooled off by the Mahoning Valley pitching staff going 0 for 4 tonight after going 4 for 5 yesterday. 2012 Ninth Round pick D.J. Crumlich continued his hot start to the season by going 1-for-4 and putting his average at .417 on the season. Let's start chanting in unison "Go D.J., that's my D.J., Go D.J., that's my D.J." 2008 Dominican signing Jodaneli Carvajal also finished the night 2-for-5 at the plate putting his average at .350 on the season.