Mud Hens blast three homers to down Columbus

After getting the two-game sweep in Toledo the Columbus Clippers (5-8) lost to the Toledo Mud Hens (5-10) 5-3 in Columbus Friday night. Toledo scored three in the eighth and got all five runs on three home runs to avenge the sweep.

Neither starter factored into the decision. Josh Tomlin (0-1, 4.00 ERA) went six innings and allowed two runs on three hits while striking out five and walking a pair for Columbus. For Toledo Derek Hankins (1-1, 5.17 ERA) went five and allowed two runs on five hits while striking out four and walking one. Hankins warmed up for the sixth inning when he showed signs of discomfort and left the game after being evaluated by the trainer. His injury is unknown at this time.

The winning pitcher was Jose Ortega (1-0, 3.86 ERA) who pitched an inning in relief. Ortega allowed a solo home run to Ryan Rohlinger in the seventh that made it 3-2 Clippers, but was still in the game when the Mud Hens rallied for three in the eighth. The losing pitcher was Austin Adams (0-1, 7.27) who got the Clippers out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh, but ran into issues in the eighth. He allowed a lead-off solo homer to J.D. Martinez to tie the game 3-3, walked Mike Hessman and gave up a two-run home run to Luis Exposito to make it 5-3. Kevin Whelan was perfect in the eighth and ninth as he picked up his first save.

The Clippers got out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first. Jose Ramirez led off with a single and scored on a Jesus Aguilar double. David Cooper was the next batter and he scored Aguilar on a single. The hits by Ramirez and Aguilar extended their season-long on base streaks. The streaks are tied for second best in the International League at 13. The longest IL on base streak belongs to former Clipper Ezequiel Carrera who got his streak to 14 with a two-run home run that tied the game at two in the third.

The loss for Columbus stops a three-game winning streak and ended a three-game skid for Toledo. The two play a doubleheader Saturday starting at 3:05 p.m. Tyler Cloyd is the probable starter for Columbus and will face Mike Belfiore.