Columbus battled and battled, but in the end, Toledo walked off with a victory in the ninth as they sneaked past the Clippers 8-7 at Fifth Third Field.
The Clippers wasted no time getting on the scoreboard with a Cord Phelps RBI single in the bottom of the first. Later in the inning, Columbus loaded the bases. Toledo lefty Casey Crosby was called for a balk, allowing Lonnie Chisenhall to score from third. Unfortunately, Matt Carson grounded into an inning ending double play, putting a damper on what looked to be a promising inning. The Hens would get on the board in the bottom half of the frame with a Danny Dorn RBI single, but the Clippers got that run back with a Matt Lawson RBI single in the top of the second.
A big fifth inning was key for Toledo in this game. They tied it at 3-3 with a two run single by Brandon Douglas in the bottom of the fifth. After loading the bases with two outs, the Hens took a 4-3 lead with a Mike Cervenak RBI infield single. The next batter, Ben Guez, increased their advantage with a two run broken bat single to center.
The Hens continued to augment their lead as Nick Castellanos drove home a run in the sixth with an RBI single. Columbus then put together a big rally in the top of the seventh. Tim Fedroff reached safely on a Danny Dorn error at first. The play plated two runs. After the Clippers loaded the bases with two outs, Nate Spears forced home a run with a bases loaded walk. Omir Santos struck out to end the inning, but the Clippers were only down a run at that point.
In the top of the eighth, Phelps made it a tied game again with an RBI single up the middle. In the Toledo ninth, Ramon Cabrera tripled off the right field wall withe one out. Columbus then had a chance to tag out Cabrera at home when Hens shortstop Argenis Diaz grounded to third. Unfortunately, Lonnie Chisenhall’s throw to home was wild, allowing Cabrera to score. Matt Hoffman (W, 3-1) got the win for the Mud Hens. Paulo Espino (L, 0-1) took the loss for the Clippers.
The Clippers and Mud Hens will finish their four game, two city series on Friday night at Fifth Third Field. A pair of left-handers will face off against one another as Clippers southpaw T.J. House (1-4, 5.70) goes toe-to-toe with Toledo lefty Pat Misch (1-3, 5.52). First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
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