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| Lonnie Chisenhall (Photo: IPI) |
The Columbus Clippers (50-23) maneuvered past the Toledo Mud Hens (30-44) in the longest nine inning game of the year.
Columbus starter Corey Kluber had difficulty finding the strike zone early in the game. Kluber began the game by walking the first three hitters he faced. Ryan Strieby took advantage of the bases loaded situation by stroking a RBI single to center. Scott Thorman followed with a bloop RBI single that fell short of the leftfielder.
In the third inning Lonnie Chisenhall slammed a two-run triple to the right center gap which tied the game. The Clippers took the lead later in the third when Luis Valbuena hammered a three-run home run that smacked into the Fricker's building in right field.
In the top of the fourth inning, Mud Hens manager Phil Nevin was ejected by home plate umpire Jeff Gosney for arguing balls and strikes. Nevin's ejection was not the only the action of the fourth as Chisenhall hit a RBI single that stretched Columbus' lead to 6-3.
Toledo reliever Ryan Perry entered the game in the seventh to try to hold down the lead. However, Perry struggled allowing a single then a double down the left field line to put two runners in scoring position. After a 5-3 groundout, Perry faced Jared Goedert with runners on second and third and one out. Goedert hit a dribbler to the first base side Perry. Although the easy play would have been to throw to first, Perry made the risky decision to try to throw the runner out at home. Perry misfired his throw and Clippers tied the game. With runners on the corners and one out, LHP Matt Hoffman came into the game to try to prevent Columbus from going ahead. Hoffman was able to get the Clippers to line into a double play to keep the game tied.
Hoffman could not continue his success in the eighth. After striking out the leadoff hitter, Hoffman gave up a single then a walk. With two runners on, Chisenhall continued his great night by belting a three-run home run over the right field wall that delivered a Columbus 10-7 lead.
Columbus tacked on three insurance runs in the ninth off RHP Lester Oliveros to extend their lead to 13-7.
The Clippers will conclude their home and home series against the Hens Thursday at 7:00. Thursday's game will have additional television coverage and be carried by SportsTime Ohio.
Aeros Let Lead Slip Away In Binghamton
The Akron Aeros gave up three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to let a two-run lead slip away as the lost game two of a three-game series to the Binghamton Mets 3-2 Wednesday at NYSEG Stadium.
Left-hander Matt Packer was charged with all three runs and suffered the loss for the Aeros pitching 5.1 innings, walking two and striking out seven.
Right-handed pitcher Brad Holt recorded the win for the B-Mets pitching two scoreless innings of relief, allowing one hit, walking two and striking out three. Right-hander Rhiner Cruz pitched a scoreless top of the ninth inning to earn the save.
The Aeros (34-38) scored first in the top of the second inning. Juan Diaz led off with a single and Nick Weglarz walked. Kyle Bellows followed with an RBI double scoring Diaz and giving Akron a 1-0 lead. With one out, Robert Carson uncorked a wild pitch allowing Weglarz to score to make it 2-0.
The B-Mets (24-45) rallied in the bottom of the sixth inning. Jonathan Malo led off with a triple and scored on a Mat Den Dekker RBI single to cut the Aeros lead to 2-1. Following a pitching change, Brahiam Maldonado tied the game 2-2 on an RBI single. The B-Mets took a 3-2 lead when Salomon Manriquez reached on a fielding error as they went on to the win.
The Aeros and B-Mets will play the rubber match of this three-game series Thursday. Akron will give the ball to right-handed pitcher Austin Adams, who is 5-6 with a 3.39 ERA in 2011. He will face fellow righty Jeurys Familia, who is 0-2 with a 3.35 ERA this season. First pitch is at 6:35 p.m.
Scrappers Walk Off in Extra Innings
Third baseman Jordan Smith walked with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 11th inning, forcing in the winning run in Mahoning Valley's 4-3 victory over Batavia.
The Scrappers led 1-0 on Aaron Siliga's home run, but the Muckdogs took a 2-1 lead. Mahoning Valley tied it at 2, trailed 3-2 and eventually tied the game at 3-3.
Smith drove in the winning run as part of a two-hit, two-RBI night in his pro debut.
The Scrappers improved to 4-2 with the victory heading into their three-game series in Auburn, New York, against the Auburn Doubledays.
The series begins on Thursday at 7:05 pm.
Follow Tony and the Indians Prospect Insider on Twitter @TonyIPI. Also, his latest book the 2011 Cleveland Indians Top 100 Prospects & More is available for purchase for $20.95 to customers in the US (shipping and handling extra).
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