Clippers take Rubber Match in Louisville

Columbus received a standout performance from their pitching staff as five hurlers combined on a four hit shutout of Louisville in a 5-0 win over the Bats.

After three scoreless innings, Columbus got the offense going in the top of the fourth. Jeremy Hermida got the Clippers on the board with an RBI single to right. The very next batter, Adam Abraham, lined a single into center field. Because the ball got by Bats centerfielder Billy Hamilton, two runs scored on the play, giving Abraham one run batted in and Columbus a 3-0 advantage. Juan Diaz added some insurance in the top of the eighth with a two run double to center.

On this particular night, the Clippers pitching staff came up huge. Corey Kluber was supposed to start the game, but was called up by Cleveland to make a spot start for the Indians. As a result, it was a bullpen day. Matt Langwell started and pitched three scoreless innings. He would be followed by left-hander Scott Barnes, who pitched a scoreless fourth and fifth and right-hander Matt Capps who hurled a scoreless sixth and seventh.

Brian Price loaded the bases with two outs in the eighth, but Preston Guilmet got out of the inning by striking out Henry Rodriguez. Guilmet (S, 1) would go on to pitch a scoreless ninth, giving the Clippers a series win over the Bats and a 4-3 road trip. Barnes (W, 1-0) got the win for Columbus. Armando Galarraga (L, 0-1) took the loss for Louisville.

Clippers will head home to open the fifth season of professional baseball at Huntington Park as Columbus welcomes the Indianapolis Indians to the Arena District. Indianapolis will send right-hander Kyle McPherson (0-0, 9.00) to the mound to face off against Clippers righty Daisuke Matsuzaka (0-0, 3.60). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.