Tides wash away Clippers 6-3

A five run Norfolk eighth doomed Columbus as the Clippers fell 6-3 to the Tides at Harbor Park.

The Tides were the first to crack the scoreboard when Jason Pridie drove home a run with an RBI single to center in the bottom of the first. The Clippers would later tie the game with a Jeremy Hermida solo shot in the top of second. Columbus garnered itself a 3-1 advantage in the top of the third. Tim Fedroff broke the 1-1 tie with an RBI single to center. Chun Chen's RBI sacrifice fly to right added to the Clippers' lead.

It was bullpen day as multiple pitchers had to throw for Columbus. Paulo Espino got the start, striking out one in three innings. Benny Suarez pitched the next three innings, striking out four while keeping Norfolk off the scoreboard. Matt Langwell pitched a scoreless seventh, but the eighth was not pretty as he gave up a game tying two run double by Norfolk's L.J. Hoes.

Preston Guilmet came on to relieve Langwell and he did not fare better as he surrendered a two run single to Buck Britton, and RBI singles to Zelous Wheeler and Brandon Wood.

The damage done by the Tides in the eighth was too much to overcome for Columbus as Norfolk took the opener of the four game series. Tides righty Mark Hendrickson (W, 1-2) was awarded the victory. Langwell (L, 3-2) was tagged with the loss. Jairo Asencio (S, 17) nailed down the win for the Tides.

Columbus continues its four game series with Norfolk on Wednesday night. The Clippers will go with righty Danny Salazar (1-2, 4.91) as their starter on the mound. The Tides will counter with right-hander Jair Jurrjens (5-4, 3.89). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.