Despite a great debut by righty Danny Salazar and a spirited rally, Columbus fell short as they lost to Rochester 5-4 on Mother’s Day at Frontier Field.
The Clippers got a little help from Mother Nature in the top of the first. The lead-off batter Ezequiel Carrera sent what looked at first to be a routine fly-ball to left. The wind, however, took hold of the ball, sending it over the left field wall and giving Columbus an early 1-0 lead.
Rochester then used a big sixth inning to their advantage. They took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth on a Nate Hanson two run single. Eric Farris added an RBI single in the inning and Joe Benson contributed with a two run double. By the time the inning ended, the Red Wings possessed a 5-1 lead.
Columbus made a comeback bid late, scoring two runs in the top of the eighth on an Omir Santos RBI single and Ryan Rohlinger scoring on a Carrera fielder’s choice. It continued in the top of the ninth. With the bases loaded and one out, Matt Carson walked to force home another run to make it a 5-4 affair. However, Rohlinger grounded into a game ending 5-3 double play. P.J. Walters (W, 4-2) got the win for Rochester, Scott Barnes took the loss for Columbus (L, 2-1), and Luis Perdomo (S, 4) tallied the save for the Red Wings.
Danny Salazar made his first career start in a Clippers uniform. The Dominican right-hander acquitted himself quite nicely on the mound, shutting out Rochester on two hits in five innings of work while striking out five and walking three. He received a no-decision for his efforts on the bump.
Columbus concludes its four game set with Rochester on Monday night. The Clippers will send lefty T.J. House (0-2, 7.88) to the hill. Rochester will tab righty Virgil Vasquez (2-2, 4.55) as their starter on the bump. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.
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