Clippers' Walters adapts to new home

It may have taken Zach Walters a while to find his new home, but when he did, he made himself quite comfortable.

The Indians newcomer went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a couple of stellar defensive plays in his Clippers debut on Friday night, but Triple-A Columbus fell to visiting Louisville, 5-4.

Walters got off to a quick start, doubling to open the bottom of the second inning. He singled in a run and scored ahead of Elliot Johnson's home run in the fourth and singled again in the eighth.

The 24-year-old second baseman was acquired from the Nationals at Thursday's trade deadline for All-Star infielder Asdrubal Cabrera. The trade may prove a blessing in disguise for Walters, who expressed some frustration after not receiving consistent playing time during a 27-game stint with the big league club.

"To put it politely, it was very interesting," Walters said in mid-June. "I want to be with the team that wants me and wants me to be a part of something. I feel like I can help the team I'm with, but I guess they didn't feel that way."

Walters' journey to Ohio proved to be an interesting one, as he expressed on Twitter earlier Friday.

Lost taxi driver... Couple hundred for baggage... Voided ticket... And someone's coffee on my pants... Here I come Ohio.

- Zachary Walters (@Zwalters02) August 1, 2014

In addition to producing at the plate, the University of San Diego product was responsible for a pair of sharp plays in the field.

Overall, Walters is batting .307, a mark that would tie him for eighth in the International League if he had enough plate appearances to qualify. He's tied for 11th with 15 homers in 61 games.

Johnson's three-run blast capped a four-run frame for the Clippers, but Bryan Anderson and Hernan Iribarren slugged two-run homers for the Bats.

Justin Freeman (3-1) tossed 1 1/3 innings of perfect relief for the win and Fabio Castillo recorded the final out for his first save for Louisville.