Clippers get quick sweep in Toledo

The Columbus Clippers (5-7) have pieced together a three-game winning streak after sweeping a two game series against the Mud Hens (4-10) in Toledo Thursday. The Clippers got a solid pitching performance from T.J. House (1-1, 2.45 ERA) who got the win going five innings and allowed no runs on three hits with six strikeouts and one walk. Vinnie Pestano picked up his first save downing the Mud Hens in order and striking out a pair in the ninth. The losing pitcher was Robbie Ray (1-2, 3.00 ERA) who allowed two runs across six innings on six hits.

Four Columbus pitchers combined for the team's first pitching shutout of the season. In addition to House and Pestano's performances, Scott Barnes went two innings allowing one hit with a pair of strikeouts and Nick Hagadone fanned a pair in the eighth.

All the offense the Clippers would need came in the third when Roberto Perez hit a one-out single and Jose Ramirez made it 2-0 on his first homer of 2014. Perez was 2-3 with a walk and Ramirez was 2-5 with the two-run homer as the pair combined for the bulk of the offense for Columbus.

The Clippers got in a third run in the seventh off the bat of Nyjer Morgan, who is known as Tony Plush to his fans. Morgan, who was optioned to Columbus after the return of center fielder Michael Bourn, came up with two down in the seventh and runners on the corners when he hit an RBI single. Morgan was 1-3 with a walk in his Columbus debut.

Columbus begins an eight-game home stand with Toledo in for the first four. Game one is Friday night at 7:15 p.m. at Huntington Park. Josh Tomlin (0-1, 4.50 ERA) is the probable starter for Columbus and is slated to pitch against Derek Hankins (1-1, 5.91 ERA).