Minor League Update: Indians Heading to the Olympics;
Crowe to Buffalo

post from The Tribe Time Report on 25 July 2008 10:50:00 AM. © The Tribe Time Report

Yesterday's game between Buffalo and Norfolk was canceled, but that didn't stop Jeremy Stevens from receiving his team USA Jersey from manager Torey Lovullo. Stevens will be joined by Akron's Matt LaPorta on the US Team. T.J. Burton has already reported to Team Canada and he soon will be joined by Nick Weglarz. Burton is going to be closing games for the Canada team and if things go like they did for Stevens during the last time he was on Team USA, he'll be closing games out as well.

You can read Matt LaPorta's latest Journal Entry for MILB.com here.

Michael Aubrey is hitting well for the Herd lately. He's carrying a nine game hit-streak. He's one player we haven't seen the last of this year, but his call-up will probably be showcased based.

Akron better hold onto that division lead as tightly as they can. Not only will they be losing Matt LaPorta for a month or so, they are losing another outfielder for presumably the rest of the season.

Trevor Crowe has been called up to Triple A Buffalo. Crowe has been on absolute rip this year and the call-up is well deserved. He got hurt a few weeks ago, spent some time on the DL, but came right back and picked-up where he left off. The only thing Crowe has to worry about is staying healthy. He's got all the makings of a lead-off hitter.

With Crowe and LaPorta gone, Nathan Panther, Bronson Sardinha and Stephen Head are going to have to pick up the slack. No problem, last night they all got hits. Crowe went 2-4 in his last game with the Aeros, for now at least. Dan Reichert pitched 7.1 strong innings, giving up just one run to spite his former organization. You'll remember Reichert was traded over to Pittsburgh.

Kinston was able to split with Potomac by winning yesterday. Brian Juhl hit a two-run home run and Johnnie Drennen went 2-4. Vinnie P's picked up his fourth save. Yes Vinnie P's.. Pestano, EHYA..

One of my favorite names at the Gulf Coast League team, LURVIN BASABE, hit his first home run in the GCL Indians' win yesterday. GCL scored 13 runs, getting a 3-4 and two RBI game from Matt McBride who spent the whole game behind the plate. I think it might be time for a call-up. Lake County could use him. The Aussie Mate, Jason Smit went 2-2 with 2 RBI, 2 R and walk.

Mahoning Valley Lost a Double Header