Tribe Tripped in Opener at Columbus

COLUMBUS, OHIO - Four extra-base hits during a three-run third led the Columbus Clippers to a narrow 5-4 series-opening victory over the Indianapolis Indians on Monday night at Huntington Park. The Tribe clawed within one in the seventh and the ninth, but were ultimately handed their 10^th one-run loss of the season.

The Clippers (17-19) broke a 1-1 tie in the third against Tribe starter Tyler Eppler on Ronny Rodriguez's second home run of the season. Eric Stamets followed with a double to left, and one out later, Richie Shaffer lifted a sun-aided triple to the warning track in right. Christopher Bostick lost the ball in the twilight on the play, allowing Stamets to score from second. Giovanny Urshela then drove a run-scoring two-bagger to deep center, making it 4-1.
The Indians (16-18) chipped away in the seventh, scoring twice against left-hander Tyler Olson. Bostick tallied his second hit of the game on an infield single to short and moved to third on a double by Max Moroff. On the ensuing play, Elias Díaz's high chopper back to Olson led to a rushed, errant throw to first. Both Bostick and Moroff scored on the error, bringing Indy within one.
A sacrifice fly by Adam Moore in the eighth proved to be a crucial run for the home team. Indianapolis staged a rally in the ninth against Joe Colon, totaling two walks and an RBI single from Eric Wood to bring the Indians within a single tally. With runners on first and second and two away, Jason Rogers bounced into a game-ending 5-4 fielder's choice.
The Indians plated their lone run against Columbus starter Travis Banwart in the first. Bostick doubled off the wall in center and later scored on a two-out single by Erich Weiss. The Clippers leveled the score in the second on three consecutive singles by Erik Kratz, Moore and Jordan Smith.
Banwart (1-2) earned the win with 5.2 innings of one-run ball. He scattered eight hits and two walks with seven punchouts. Josh Martin recorded the final out in the ninth for his second save.
Eppler (3-2) took the loss after yielding four earned runs on eight hits over six frames. The Indians stranded 11 baserunners as a team and finished 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position.
Indianapolis and Columbus continue their five-game set with a doubleheader Tuesday night at Huntington Park. The Indians will send left-handers Steven Brault (1-3, 3.19) and Cody Dickson (2-2, 6.75) to the bump, while Columbus will counter with southpaw Ryan Merritt (3-3, 3.95) and right-hander Carlos Frias (0-0, 9.00). First pitch is scheduled for 5:35 p.m. and game two will begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. Both games can be heard on Fox Sports 97.5 or AM 1260.