Zach McAllister Poised For Return, Clippers Notes

Zach McAllister Solid In Final Tune Up Before Return To Tribe

Zach McAllister has not made a start for the Cleveland Indians since being placed on the disabled list May 21st with a back strain but that will change in the coming days as he made his final tuneup start this afternoon for the Columbus Clippers and held the Buffalo Bisons scoreless for 7.1 innings.

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His return to the Indians included a rehab start for their Class A affiliate Lake County Captains where he lasted 4.1 innings and allowed three runs (earned).

His rehab continued with theTribe’s Triple-A affiliate Columbus Clippers where he threw 94 pitches in six innings and held the Charlotte Knights to just two earned runs.

He made his next start on short rest to line up to take T.J. House‘s spot in the rotation and threw 64-pitches in a shutting out the Scranton Wilkes-Barre RailRiders over four innings.

Due to a rain out and a number of off-days on the schedule the Indians would not need a fifth starter until early July. In order to give McAllister the opportunity to really get his strength and command back they optioned him to the Clippers.

His first start upon returning to Columbus was very good holding the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs to two runs (earned) on eight hits striking out six and walking none. He topped the 100-pitch mark (101) and threw 69 for strikes.

Today, McAllister made his final start with the Clippers prior to his schedule return to the Tribes rotation and once again he was sharp. He shut the Buffalo Bisons out on three hits over 7.1 innings of work striking out six and walking just two in the Clippers 9-0 victory.  He made 104 pitches throwing 64 of them for strikes.

Overall, in four starts with the Clippers he posted a 3-0 record with a 1.84 ERA. He worked 24.1 innings and allowed just 19 hits striking out 20 and walking five.

His recent performance should give Indians fans hope that the Zach McAllister that returns to the Tribe’s rotation is the same guy that over his first seven starts was 3-2 with a 3.18 ERA (14ER/39.2IP) and not the one who over his last three starts was 0-2 with a 19.96 ERA (17ER/7.2IP).

Clippers Notes:

Bryan Price spent most of the year recovering from an injury. After making eight appearances (10IP) with the Indians Doulbe-A affiliate Akron RubberDucks where he allowed three run (earned) striking out 16 while walking just two was promoted to the Clippers.  He made his first appearance for the Clippers against the Bisons working 1.2-innings of scoreless ball in relief of Zach McAllister.

Jesus Aguilar hit his twelfth home run of  the season going 2 for 4 with a walk and two runs batted in.

Roberto Perez continues his impressive comeback from Bell’s Palsy. He blasted his eighth home run of the year finishing the day 1 for 4 with a walk. He currently owns a .308/.416/.541 slash line spanning 176 plate appearances.

Carlos Moncrief went 2 for 4 with a double and two runs batted in. He got off to a slow start in April and May posting a .238/.286/.354 slash line with just three home runs in 198 plate appearances. His prospect status has returned in the month of June as he has been blistering the ball posting a .313/.370/.566 with five homers spanning 92 plate appearances.