Chris Gimenez took the next step on his quest to make it to the
Big Leagues Wednesday night when he was called up from the High-A
Kinston Indians to the Double-A Akron Aeros.
Gilroy – Chris Gimenez took the next step on his quest to make it to the Big Leagues Wednesday night when he was called up from the High-A Kinston Indians to the Double-A Akron Aeros.
And he is already making the most of the opportunity.
Gimenez blasted a three-run home run in his first at-bat against the Binghamton Mets Friday night, helping the Aeros to a 6-2 victory. He finished the game 2-4, including a double and three RBI.
According to Gimenez’ mother Pam, the promotion set off a chain of events that were less than ideal.
After getting word of the call-up from his High-A manager, Gimenez went from Maryland to Philadelphia Thursday morning to board a plane to New York. Unfortunately for Gimenez, all flights were delayed or canceled and he ended up spending 14-hours sitting around in an airport terminal while the Aeros defeated the Mets 5-4.
To make matters worse, his luggage was lost in transit. According to Pam, he had to borrow clothes and equipment from his new teammates, which initially caused mom to be a little worried about Friday night’s game.
“He has such big feet. I don’t know who he is going to borrow cleats from.”
It clearly wasn’t a problem.
Gimenez’ three-run shot in the second inning gave the Aeros, an affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, a 3-0 lead which they never relinquished.
As for the clothes, Gimenez made a quick pitstop to make sure he would have the basics until his luggage is found.
“(Chris) ran across the street to Wal-Mart,” Pam said. “He’s on the road for another seven days until they get back to Akron.”
Gimenez has played the majority of his time in Single and High-A at catcher but he was placed at third base for Friday night’s game.
Mother’s intuition kicked in as soon as Chris phoned home Wednesday night to deliver the news.
“He was in such a good mood when I answered the phone and he had just struck out twice, so I knew something was up.”
