Tides sink Clippers on walk-off in extras
The Columbus Clippers (9-12) battled, but lost in the 11th inning 3-2 in their first road game against International League South competition at the Norfolk Tides (7-15) Saturday night.
Nick Additon (2-0, 2.12 ERA) got win the pitching two innings of one-hit ball in relief. Mark Lowe (0-1, 6.75 ERA) took the loss allowing the winning run in the 11th after closing out the 10th. A total of 13 pitchers were used in the 11 inning marathon match.
Kevin Gausman (0-1, 2.53 ERA) and Travis Banwart (1-0, 4.15 ERA) received no decisions for their efforts. Gausman went four and two-thirds innings allowing no runs on three hits with five strikeouts and one walk. Banwart went five and two-thirds and allowed no runs on three hits with four strikeouts and three walks.
"El Jefe" Jesus Aguilar did it again giving the Clippers their first run of the game. With two down in the sixth Aguilar hit an opposite-field solo homer to make it 1-0. The homer was Aguilar's second in as many games, seventh of the season and fifth to right field. Columbus got in another to make it 2-0 in the sixth.
Norfolk would not go quietly into the night and the Tides rallied for a pair of runs in the seventh to tie the game at two. With Blake Wood on in the seventh in relief for Columbus he gave up a single and two walks to load the bases with one out. After striking out the next batter he faced, Wood induced a ground ball to shortstop, but Ryan Rohlinger committed a throwing error that allowed a pair of runs to score.
In the last of inning number 11 the first two runners reached second and third the Clippers intentionally walked the bases loaded with one out. Columbus brought in an extra infielder, Audy Ciriaco, taking center fielder Nyjer Morgan out of the game. Johnny Monnell ended the game with a single to center.
Jose Ramirez extended his season-long on base streak with a walk despite going 0-4. Roberto Perez pinch hit for George Kottaras in the top of the 11th and popped out with runners on, ending his season-long (13-game) on base and hitting streaks.
Game two of four at Norfolk begins at 1:05 p.m. Sunday with Trevor Bauer (2-0, 0.96 ERA) for Columbus facing Eddie Gamboa (0-1, 4.37 ERA) for Norfolk.