The Bats used a methodical offensive attack that Columbus could not match as they defeated the Clippers 10-7 at Louisville Slugger Field.
Louisville would be the first team to crack the scoreboard in the bottom of the first when Josh Fellhauer hit a solo homer over the right field wall. The Bats later added to their lead with a Nevin Ashley RBI single in the second and a Henry Rodriguez RBI sacrifice fly and Mike Hessman RBI single in the third. The Louisville offensive onslaught would continue with back-to-back solo homers by Ashley and Konrad Schmidt in the fourth.
The Clippers would put together a big inning of their own in the top of the fifth. Cord Phelps muscled up and clubbed a three run shot over the right field to cut the deficit in half. It appeared that Jeremy Hermida had tied the game with another three run homer, but, upon further review, the umpires later overturned the call, ruling it a ground rule double. So instead of a tied game, the RBI double by Hermida made it a 6-4 affair.
The Bats would get a run back with a Hessman solo homer in the bottom of the sixth, but Columbus would keep hitting in the top of the sixth. With runners on first and second and two outs, Lonnie Chisenhall lined a pitch to right field. The ball would get away from Bats right-fielder Josh Fellhauer, enabling Chisenhall to drive in both runners with a two run triple and making it a 7-6 game.
Louisville retaliated with a two run double by Neftali Soto and a Hessman RBI single in the bottom of the sixth. Ezequiel Carrera brought the Clippers to within three with an RBI sacrifice fly in the top of seventh. Unfortunately, that as close as they would come as Columbus was held scoreless in the eighth and ninth. Armando Galarraga (W, 3-3) got the win for the Bats. Trevor Bauer (L, 2-2) took the loss for the Clippers. Yohan Pino (S, 5) tallied the save for Louisville.
The Clippers and Bats will wrap up their four game series on Thursday night. Danny Salazar (0-0, 0.00) will make his third start of the season for Columbus. Greg Reynolds (4-0, 3.16) will be tabbed the starter on the mound for Louisville. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PM.
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