Clippers rally past RailRiders 5-4

A three run eighth inning propelled the Clippers to a 5-4 victory over the RailRiders at PNC Field.

The Clippers would get on the board in the top of the second with the help of a Mike McDade RBI single. They would add another tally with a Tim Fedroff solo homer in the top of the third.

The RailRiders would break through offensively with a Cody Johnson solo shot in the bottom of the fourth and would tie it in the bottom of the fifth on an Addison Maruszak RBI single. Scranton/WB would then take a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the seventh when David Adams drove home two with a single to center field.

That would not have staying power as Jeremy Hermida muscled a two run homer over the right field wall to tie things at 4-4. They then took back the lead when Cord Phelps smoked a ball over to first base. RailRiders first baseman Dan Johnson snagged the grounder and threw to second to try to begin an inning ending double play, but shortstop Gil Velasquez could not make a relay throw back to first base to complete the potential twin kill, allowing Matt Carson to score from third on the play.  

The 5-4 edge would stand up for a Columbus win. Jerry Gil (W, 2-0) received the victory for the Clippers, Sam Demel (L, 1-1) took the loss for the RailRiders, and Preston Guilmet (S, 6) picked up the save for the visitors.

Trevor Bauer received a no-decision in the game. The Clippers right-hander went five innings, holding the RailRiders to two runs on five hits while striking out eight and walking two.

Columbus will be back at it against Scranton/Wilkes Barre on Thursday night. Venezuelan right-hander Carlos Carrasco (0-0, 0.00) will make his second start of the season while the RailRiders send Taiwanese righty Chien-Ming Wang (1-0, 0.00) to the hill. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PM.