Columbus holds on against Lehigh Valley

Zach McAllister pitched beautifully in rehab appearance for Columbus as the Clippers began the second half of International League play with a close 3-2 win over the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. 

Columbus got on the board first with when Ezequiel Carrera drove home Roberto Perez with an RBI sacrifice fly in the top of the third. Ryan Rohlinger later added an RBI single in the top of the fifth.

Cleveland right-hander Zach McAllister made a rehab start for the Clippers as he continues to recover from a right middle finger injury. It was an efficient six inning outing for the Chillicothe, Illinois native, who struck out two and walked two while giving up two hits in the process.

From there, the Clippers added to their lead with a Tim Fedroff RBI single in the eighth. Danny Salazar took over on the mound as a reliever. Salazar (S, 1) pitched the final three innings, striking out four while giving up two runs on three hits, which came via a Pete Orr solo homer and a Cesar Hernandez RBI single in the bottom of the eighth.

McAllister (W, 1-0) got the win for Columbus. Ethan Martin (L, 10-5) took the loss for Lehigh Valley.

The Pigs and Clippers will be back in action on Friday night. Columbus will go with righty Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-5, 4.55) on the mound. The starter for Lehigh Valley has yet to be determined. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.