A pitcher's duel took place at Huntington Park. Unfortunately for the Clippers, they came out on the short end as the Tides came out on top 3-1 over Columbus.

Columbus would strike first with the baseball bats in the bottom of the first. Jason Donald singled and Travis Hafner, who began an injury rehab assignment with the Clippers tonight, walked to put runners on first and second with two outs. Cord Phelps then gave Columbus a 1-0 lead with an RBI single down the left field line.

Norfolk would then tie it in the top of the second when L.J. Hoes came in to score on a Joe Mahoney RBI sacrifice fly to left. The Tides would later take a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth on a Brandon Waring solo shot to deep left

Meanwhile, the Clippers struggled against Norfolk pitching. Right-hander Chris Tillman limited Columbus to one run on five hits while striking out seven and walking one in 5 2/3 innings of work. Once Tillman exited the game, the Tides bullpen continued shutting down the Columbus offense through the eighth inning.

Norfolk would add an insurance run in the top of the ninth when L.J. Hoes scored on a Blake Davis RBI single to right, augmenting the Tides' advantage to 3-1. Columbus would have one last chance in the bottom of the ninth. Russ Canzler would fly-out to deep center for the first out of the frame. Cord Phelps then struck out for out number two and Tim Fedroff did likewise for the final out of the game. Tillman (W, 8-8) got the win for Norfolk, Chris Seddon (L, 7-5) was hit with the loss for Columbus, and Pat Neshek picked up his seventh save of the season for the Tides.

The Clippers will lock horns with the Tides on Thursday night. Japanese right-hander Toru Murata (0-1, 4.68 in 2 starts with Akron) will make his second ever start with Columbus. Norfolk will counter with former National League rookie of the year Dontrelle Willis (0-2, 4.91). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm.