Columbus gets by Durham

A two run seventh inning proved to be the tipping point as the Clippers bested Durham in a 3-2 pitcher's duel. 

The Clippers were the first team to crack the scoreboard when Jeremy Hermida plated a run with an RBI single in the bottom of the first. The game would then be tied in the top of the fifth when Tim Beckham drove home Kevin Kiermaier with an RBI single.

T.J. House pitched a solid game for Columbus, limiting Durham to one run on six hits while striking out five in five innings. Bulls righty Steve Buschmann was even better, holding Columbus to one run on four hits while punching out 8 in six frames.

Beckham would later strike again with another RBI single in the top of the seventh as Durham took a 2-1 lead. Columbus would battle back in the bottom half of the frame. The Clippers loaded the bases with nobody out. Ryan Rohlinger scored from third on an Ezequiel Carrera fielder's choice to tie it at 2-2. The next batter, Tim Fedroff bounced a grounder that was misplayed by the shortstop Beckham. It allowed Nate Spears to come home safely as Columbus retook the lead 3-2.

The Clippers bullpen (Blake Wood, Clay Rapada, Fernando Nieve, and Nick Hagadone) held the Bulls off the scoreboard for the final two innings of play as Columbus began their eight game home stand with a win. Fernando Nieve (W, 5-2) got the win for the Clippers. Jeff Beliveau (L, 2-3) took the loss for Durham. Nick Hagadone (S, 1) nailed down the save in the ninth for Columbus.

A pair of right-handers will duke it out as baseball activities resume at Huntington Park on Saturday night as Clippers righty Trevor Bauer (5-2, 3.84) goes toe-to-toe with Bulls hurler J.D. Martin (12-4, 2.82). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.