Clippers split doubleheader on sloppy day

The two games for Columbus could not have been more different. The Columbus Clippers (11-13) won game one 3-0 against the Norfolk Tides (8-17), but a 7-4 loss made it a split of the doubleheader and the four-game set.

Frank Herrmann (1-0, 0.00 ERA) was the winner in game one recording a pair of outs in relief to end the sixth, stranding a pair of runners on base. Brad Brach (2-1, 5.25 ERA), older brother of Clippers' reliever Brett, took the loss allowing all three Columbus runs on four hits in the seventh. Mark Lowe walked a batter, but got his fifth save allowing no runs in the seventh and final inning of play.

Neither starter received the decision, though both pitched well. T.J. House (1-1, 1.59 ERA) went five and one-third innings for Columbus allowing no runs on eight hits with five strikeouts and a pair of walks. Suk-min Yoon (0-3, 5.24 ERA) was a little better allowing only two hits in five innings of work with three strikeouts and three walks.

Kelvin De La Cruz (1-0, 6.75 ERA) was the winner pitching a perfect sixth in relief in game two. Vinnie Pestano (0-2, 5.40 ERA) took the loss only recording one out and allowed all five of the Tides runs in their five-run sixth inning, though only three were earned.

Just as in game one the starters would not factor into the decision in game two. Tyler Cloyd (1-2, 6.84 ERA) was strong for Columbus allowing only two runs in five innings on six hits with four strikeouts and one walk. T.J. McFarland wasn't as sharp for Norfolk allowing four runs in five hits with three walks to one strikeout.

Game one was scoreless throughout most of the game, but the Clippers got all they would need in the seventh. Columbus got the winning run in thanks to an RBI single by Roberto Perez, who continues his hot hitting for the Clippers. Columbus scored two more on a Jose Ramirez sacrifice fly to score Perez and a Justin Sellers double to score Tim Fedroff.

Columbus struck first in the first game two. Ramirez led off the game with a single and scored on a Nyjer Morgan RBI single. After Columbus loaded the bases with no outs in the second inning a pair of RBI groundouts by George Kottaras and Ramirez made it 3-0 Clippers.

Columbus led all game until the decisive sixth inning. With a 4-2 lead the Clippers sent Pestano to the mound. The Tides loaded the bases with a Johnny Monell single, Ivan De Jesus single and Quintin Berry walk. After Julio Borbon reached on an error, scoring a run, former Clipper Cord Phelps unloaded the bases and gave the Tides the lead with a triple to right. A sacrifice fly by Xavier Paul made it 7-4 Norfolk.

Ramirez did not reach base in game one and ended his season-long on base streak at 21 games. With the RBI in the first game Ramirez tied Aguilar with a team-high 16 runs driven in. Ramirez got another RBI in the second game to get him to a team-high 17.

The Clippers are off Wednesday and play four games against the Durham Bulls to end the road trip. Game one is Thursday at 7:05 p.m. in Durham.