WHAT'S THE NEWS

Since we last talked earlier this week, more retreads have been purged. Sort of.

Both Jack Cassel and Kirk Saarloos were placed on the disabled list earlier this week.

Vinnie Chulk is on the DL as well. Room needed to be made for Rafael Perez, Jeremy Sowers, and Hector Rondon and with Wyatt Toregas going through an injury issue, the Clippers needed to temporarily add a catcher, Dwight Childs, this year's 18th rounder currently at Mahoning Valley, just in case something happens to Damaso Espino.

I'm trying to update the boards, had them done on Wednesday until excel froze on me and ruined everything.

There is one more injury to note. Down in Akron, Vinnie Pestano was placed on the Disabled List. Now if you remember, The Gangster was on the EL All-Star team, so he'll need a repalcement. Lucky for the Aeros, the replacement is being taken from their team in Carlton Smith.

Congrats to Carlton.

Instead of recapping the past few days that I've missed, just read the new Minor League Happenings. Rondon and Popham were very good this past week going deep into their games with perfection.

Also... Check out this story on Jason Smit, who's ripping it up for the Valley.

Finally, one more left... With the signing of second round pick, Jason Kipnis, the Indians have just one more big draft pick to get inked in Alex White.

Kipnis officially signed with the Indians. Once White signs his deal, that would give the Indians control of their top 20 picks.

COLUMBUS

Well... The Indians have been pretty down on having Carmona return right out of the All-Star Break and last night's game won't help his cause.

Carmona was good for awhile, then he gave up a four run inning. He would end up giving one more in his seven innings of work off eight hits and two walks.

I'm guessing Carmona is going to have to give it one more go.

Jensen Lewis pitched a perfect frame by striking out the side in the eighth.

Two hits and a RBI each for Michael Brantley and Jordan Brown. Brantley scored twice and stole a base, while Brown doubled.

Andy Marte knocked in a run and swiped a base.

AKRON

Erie beat Akron, in large part to a rough first-inning for starter Bobby Livingston.

Livingston gave up four runs in that inning, six total in his six innings of work. Newly named All-Star Carlton Smith stated his case by going two scoreless.

Nick Weglarz and Carlos Santana knocked in a run a piece while Johnnie Drennen doubled twice.

KINSTON

Kinston beat Potomac yesterday behind a successful Kinston debut by Alexander Perez.

Perez went six scoreless, giving up six hits and two walks with six strikeouts.

Bo Pickens and Ron Rivas had two hits and a run batted in, Lucas Montero doubled in a run, and Roman Pena knocked in two runs. Lonnie Chisenhall scored a run and had two hits.

LAKE COUNTY

In a game in which the Captains committed three errors and gave up 12 hits...they lost. Duh.

Kaimi Mead took the loss after he gave up five runs in 3.2 innings of work after Brian Grening went 2.1 innings. Mead only gave up on earned though.

Bo Greenwell had two hits, including one of the Captains two runs knocked in.

MAHONING VALLEY

Clayton Cook didn't need much run-support after his six scoreless innings in which he gave up just three hits and a walk.

But that didn't stop the Scrappers from scoring 8 runs.

Ben Carlson and Lurvin Basabe knocked in two runs each, including Carlson's double. Basabe hit his first home run of the year and scored twice.

Greg Folgia knocked in a run with two hits and Rafael Vera also knocked in a run.

ARIZONA LEAGUE

The AZL Indians put up another big crooked number with 16 runs off 21 hits against the Mariners back on the ninth of July.

Jesus Brito - 4/6, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2B, 3B
Chris Kersten - 5/6, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B
Darling Read - 2/3, 3 R, 1 RBI, 2B, HBP
Casey Frawley - 3/5, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2B, SB

Trent Baker, Roberto Perez, and Rolando Petit all had two hits. Kelvin Rucker was the lone AZL starter wtihout a hit, but he walked twice and scored.