If the Columbus Clippers (4-6) never saw Louisville (4-5) right-hander Josh Smith (2-0) again, they would be alright with that.
At least that’s the way this early season has gone.
Smith was dominant in the Bats’ 1-0 series opening win over the Clippers on Monday night at Louisville Slugger Field in front of a crowd of 4,502.
The 28-year-old tossed six innings, giving up four hits while walking a batter and striking out three.
The Bats’ bullpen comprised of Ryan Mattheus and Steve Delabar took care of things the rest of the way as Columbus only managed a two hits from the seventh inning on.
The only run of the game was driven in via Louisville second baseman Carlos Triunfel’s infield single in the bottom of the fifth, scoring Jermaine Curtis from third.
Smith’s counterpart in Clippers southpaw Ryan Merritt (0-2) was almost as spectacular, as he gave up a run on two hits. He walked a batter and fanned five.
The loss marked the fourth straight one-run game for Columbus and the sixth overall this season.
The Clippers and the Bats will battle again in game two of their three game series tomorrow night with the first pitch coming at 7:05 p.m.
About Marion Online Sports
