The Columbus Clippers (22-20) beat up on the Syracuse Chiefs (21-22) 8-3. It was the second consecutive game the Clippers scored at least eight. The Clippers came up clutch hitting well with runners on and were not deterred by hitting with two outs. Columbus had a total of five two-out RBI after having four the previous game.
Austin Adams (2-1, 4.05 ERA) got the win out of the bullpen. Aaron Laffey (4-2, 4.54 ERA) allowed seven runs, five earned, on nine hits with three walks and three hits in four and two-thirds innings in the loss.
Even though it was a very successful Triple-A debut, there was no win on the day for Duke von Schamann (0-0, 5.79). He didn’t pitch long enough to qualify for the win only making it four and two thirds innings and allowed three runs on six hits with one walk and struck out a pair. He gave up all three runs in the third inning.
The Clippers jumped out to a 4-0 lead before all the fans could get settled in at Syracuse. Columbus scored a run on a fielder’s choice in the first and then loaded the bases with two outs in the second. With the bases juiced Elliot Johnson hit a single to give the Clippers another run. Two more would score on an RBI single by Giovanny Urshela and throwing error by third baseman Brandon Laird for the Chiefs.
The Chiefs got those three right back in the bottom of the second on a two-out rally of their own. Laird singled with two down and scored on a Sean Nicol double. A two-run shot by Will Rhymes made it a one-run game in the second.
Columbus responded with a run in the third. Carlos Moncrief doubled with one out and Ryan Rohlinger plated him with a single and made it 5-3 Clippers.
Columbus then got another three spot in the fifth. Justin Sellers doubled the lead with a two-run two-out single making it 7-3 Clippers. Moncrief added to the lead in the seventh with a solo shot to right.
The Clippers had only scored eight or more going into the series with Syracuse and scored eight in consecutive nights. Moncrief finished a triple shy of the cycle.
Game three of the four-game series will be a 7 p.m. first pitch at Syracuse. Columbus can earn the series win with a win Monday night.
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