LaPorta, Martinez combine for Clippers Win

Timely hitting by Matt LaPorta and fantastic pitching by Joe Martinez added up to a 5-1 win for Columbus over Rochester at Huntington Park.

LaPorta got the game started with a bang, clubbing a two run shot, his second homer in as many days, to give Columbus an early 2-0 edge.

The big inning would be the bottom of the fifth. Jeremy Hermida and LaPorta each had RBI singles. Hermida would later score on a Cord Phelps RBI groundout and Columbus had a 5-0 lead. Rochester could only tally one run on the night with a Brandon Boggs RBI single in the top of the ninth.

It was a night where Joe Martinez (W, 1-2) finally got in the win column for Columbus. Martinez blanked the Red Wings on six hits while striking out two and walking one in 7 2/3 innings. Kyle Gibson (L, 1-4) took the loss for Rochester.

Columbus and Rochester will get together once again on Saturday night. The Clippers will tab Japanese righty Toru Murata (0-1, 6.00) as their starter the mound. Rochester will counter with right-hander Liam Hendricks (0-2, 4.86). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.