Columbus taken down by Norfolk
COLUMBUS, OH- The Columbus Clippers (58-53) were sunk by the Norfolk Tides (51-59) 6-5 Monday afternoon. The Clippers fell behind early, rallied back, but ultimately fell to the Tides in the season finale between the two teams. Norfolk took five of the eight games against the Clippers and three of four at Huntington Park.
Robert Coello (5-1, 1.58 ERA) picked up the win pitching a perfect eighth out of the bullpen. Austin Adams (2-2, 2.28 ERA) allowed a go-ahead homer and took the loss. Evan Meek closed out the ninth for his 10th save.
Neither starter made it to the fifth. Kyle Davies (6-7, 4.28 ERA) pitched four innings and allowed four runs on seven hits with one walk and three strikeouts. Steve Johnson (0-0, 6.75 ERA) had another short start for Norfolk as he's dealt with a right shoulder injury in 2014. He went two innings and allowed three runs on five hits with two walks and two strikeouts.
The Tides recorded more hits than outs in the first. Norfolk scored three runs on four hits and one walk in the inning. Two runs were in before the first out was recorded.
The Clippers stormed back in the bottom of the inning. Francisco Lindor hit a one-out bloop single to spark the rally. Elliot Johnson walked and set up Jesus Aguilar drove in a run with a single into center. Carlos Moncrief hit an RBI single for the second run. Audy Ciriaco walked to load the bases, but the Clippers didn't score again in the first.
The Clippers left the bases loaded again in the second, but got the game-tying run on Moncrief's hustle. Moncrief beat out an infield single with two outs and the bases loaded to tie the game at three.
Columbus continued to score in the third. Ryan Rohlinger led off the inning with a single and Chris Wallace hit a one-out single. Tyler Holt drove in Rohlinger with a single to right and Lindor scored Wallace on a ground out to second.
The Tides tied the game at five in the eighth with a run scored on a wild pitch.
Christian Walker gave Norfolk the lead 6-5 with a solo homer the opposite way to right.
The Clippers left nine men on base, six in scoring position in the loss.
The Clippers are off Tuesday and next play Wednesday at Huntington Park against the Louisville Bats. First pitch is 7:05 p.m.