Pigs blow out Clippers in series finale

The Clippers fell victim to the hot bats of the Iron Pigs as Lehigh Valley pounded Columbus 9-2 on a Business Day Special at Huntington Park. 

After a quiet four innings of play, Columbus would break the scoreless tie when Nate Spears drove home a run with an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth. The Iron Pigs quickly made it a 1-1 game in the top of the fifth when Steve Susdorf scored on a Pete Orr RBI double.

Lehigh Valley later used a big top of the sixth to grab their first lead of the game. Mitchell scored from third on a Cody Asche fielder's choice. Josh Fields then made a 3-1 affair with an RBI single in the same inning. Susdorf capped off the scoring with an RBI sacrifice fly to center field.

The Pigs would later add five more to the run column with two in the eighth and three in the ninth. In the eighth, Cameron Rupp forced home a run with a bases loaded walk and Orr drove home another run with an RBI sacrifice fly to center. In the ninth, Fields added to his RBI total with an RBI sacrifice fly, Rupp drove in another run with an RBI double off the right field wall, and Susdorf capped his productive day with an RBI single.

The Iron Pigs earned a split with the Clippers as they wrapped up the four game series. Ethan Martin (W, 8-3) received the victory for Lehigh Valley. Joe Martinez (L, 2-6) took the loss for Columbus. Justin Friend (S,1) tallied the save by pitching the final three innings of the contest.

The Clippers will embark on another long road-trip beginning with a four game series with the Norfolk Tides at Harbor Park. Columbus will give the ball to lefty T.J. House (1-7, 5.37). The starter for Norfolk has yet to be determined. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.