Clippers Offense Erupts Late in Win

Francisco Mejia Grand Slam Ignites Columbus Offense to Grab Game Two from Indy

Francisco Mejia went 3 for 5 with four RBIs and a Grand Slam in Saturday night's victory over Indianapolis. (Mathew Carper)

June 16, 2018

The Columbus Clippers defeated the Indianapolis Indians behind a massive, eight-run sixth inning tonight at Huntington Park.The Clippers were held off the board until the fateful sixth, but made it count when it mattered most, taking game two of the three-game series, 10-4.

The Columbus Clippers defeated the Indianapolis Indians behind a massive, eight-run sixth inning tonight at Huntington Park.
The Clippers were held off the board until the fateful sixth, but made it count when it mattered most, taking game two of the three-game series, 10-4.

Indy scored all four via the homerun, with the first coming from Jordan Luplow off Columbus starter Shao-Ching Chiang in the top of the second to make it 1-0.
That became 4-0 in the top of the sixth when Kevin Kramer hammered a no-doubt, two-out shot over the wall in right off Chiang.
The Clippers bounced back in a big way in the home half, as they loaded the bases for top prospect Francisco Mejía against Indians starter Alex McRae. He hammered a grand slam, his sixth homer of the year, to knot the ballgame at 4-4.
Later in the inning, Adam Rosales lined a ball off reliever Johnny Hellweg with Mike Papi on third. Hellweg gathered and threw home to nab Papi, but the catcher, Ryan Lavarnway, dropped the ball when applying the tag to allow the Clippers a 5-4 lead.
Two batters later, Drew Maggi laced a two-run single to center, making it 7-4. After that, Yu Chang grounded out to score one more, tacking on an insurance run at 8-4.
The eight-run frame was the Clippers' second largest offensive inning this season.
Chiang continued through the seventh on the hill for the Clippers, who supplied him with more run support in the bottom of the inning. With two on, Rosales stroked a RBI single, making it 9-4, and with the bases loaded, Maggi walked, extending the advantage to 10-4.
Ben Taylor took over for Chiang in the eighth, closing the book on his start. He allowed four runs on six hits, with two walks and three strikeouts in his seven innings.
Taylor shut down the Indians in the top of the eighth, and after the Clippers went scoreless in the bottom half, Cam Hill closed things out in the ninth to secure the 10-4 victory.
The Clippers and Indians will play the final game of their series tomorrow afternoon at 2:05 p.m. at Huntington Park.