Carrasco pitches Columbus past Rochester 3-2

Columbus earned a series split behind a strong pitching performance by Carlos Carrasco as they beat Rochester 3-2 at Huntington Park.

 Rochester drew first blood on the scoreboard with a Jeff Clement RBI single in the top of the second. The Clippers then tied it at 1-1 with a Cedric Hunter RBI single in the bottom of the fourth. The tie would be later broken in the bottom of the sixth on a Juan Diaz RBI double, making it a 2-1 game. Cord Phelps added an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh.

Carlos Carrasco (W, 1-0) pitched marvelously on the mound for Columbus. The Venezuelan right-hander held the Red Wings to one run on four hits in six innings of work. He struck out seven and did not walk a single batter.

Rochester would draw closer in the top of the eighth with a bases loaded walk issued to Clement, but the Clippers held on for the win, earning a split in the four game series with the Red Wings. Preston Guilmet (S, 8) nailed down another save for Columbus. Virgil Vasquez (L, 2-2) was hit with the loss for Rochester.

Columbus rolls on with their eight game home stand on Monday night as they welcome in the Charlotte Knights for four games. The starter for Columbus has yet to be determined. Charlotte will opt to go with right-hander Tony Pena (0-3, 6.60) on the hill. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PM.