Unlike the last two nights, the Clippers made an early lead stand up for a win as they beat Indianapolis 4-2 at Victory Field.
Like the previous two nights, the Clippers jumped out to an early lead. Matt Carson got Columbus on the board with an RBI double in the top of the second. Later on that inning, Justin Toole drove home a run with an infield squibber that stayed fair all the way up to the third base bag.
After Tim Fedroff scored from third on a Stolmy Pimentel wild pitch in the top of the third, Indy finally scratched across a run with a Robert Andino RBI double in the bottom half of that frame. Andino later added to his RBI total with an RBI single in the fifth.
Paulo Espino pitched well on the mound for Columbus, limiting Indy to two runs on seven hits while striking out six in six innings. Carson provided some insurance by knocking in his second run of the game with an RBI single in the top of the ninth.
The bottom of the ninth proved to be difficult to navigate for Columbus pitching. Lefty Nick Hagadone got an out, but allowed two runners to reach base. Hagadone was then pulled for right-hander Preston Guilmet. He struck out Jerry Sands for the second out and got Kelly Shoppach to fly out to end the game.
Espino (W, 3-4) was rewarded with the win for the Clippers. Stolmy Pimentel (L, 2-5) took the loss for Indianapolis. Guilmet (S, 19) tallied another save for Columbus.
The Clippers will finish up their four game set with Indianapolis on Friday night. The lefty T.J. House (6-10, 4.46) will get the start on the mound for Columbus. Indianapolis will turn to righty Jameson Taillon (0-1, 5.25). First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 PM.
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