COLUMBUS - GAME RECAP

We saw the Scranton-Wilkes Barre Red Barons (they must be the team with the longest name in baseball) play the Columbus Clippers. It looked like a good matchup as prospect Brandon Duckworth took the mound for the Barons against lefty Randy Keisler, who has spent time with the Yankees. 

Duckworth warms up

The clouds gathered and it started to drizzle just as the game began. After one out, Kneisler gave up a double to Jason Knupfer and a triple to Kevin Orie and then hit Eric Valent with a pitch. It was obvious the conditions were not going to get any better so the game was halted. When it resumed 45 minutes later, Kneisler did not have his best stuff, giving up a 2-run double to Turner Ward and then a run-scoring single to Gene Schall. 

Kevin Orie swings

It was 4-0 Barons and Columbus has yet to bat, and with Duckworth on the mound, they might as well not have. Yielding only 3 hits and getting 7 strikeouts through 6 2/3 innings, it looked like a shutout was possible, but ex-NL All-Star Carlos Garcia doubled and scored on Paul Ottavinia's double to make the score 5-1. In the eighth, another double by Donzell McDonald was turned into a run with a ground out and sac fly, but that was it for the Clippers offence. Ed Vosberg pitched a 1-2-3 9th to get the save and SWB won 5-2. 

This was a great game to watch because there is no doubt that Duckworth will be a mainstay in the Phillies' rotation next year, if not sooner. Kneisler will also be a major-leaguer shortly, but it was too bad the rain had to come and cause some trouble with his stuff. The game may have been a lot closer if the weather was better. As it was, the fine pitching and good pace net this game a 6/10 rating.