Indians rock Rondon, beat Clippers

The 2010 version of Hector Rondon could use a dose of the pitcher he was against Indianapolis in 2009. For his 2nd straight outing against the Indians, Rondon allowed 7 runs in less than 4 innings and he again suffered the loss in a 9-4 Clippers defeat.

The Venezuelan right-hander was strong through the 1st three innings, allowing no runs, but the wheels came off in the 4th inning. Rondon allowed 7 runs on 7 hits, including 3 home runs before being chased from the mound.

Columbus rallied for 3 runs in the 6th inning against starter Donnie Veal. Trevor Crowe scored on a Jason Donald double and Donald came around on a Shelly Duncan ground out. Brian Bixler plated Carlos Santana later in the inning on a single to make it a 7-3 game. Anderson Hernandez got the Clippers to within three with a solo home run in the 7th, but that was as close as Columbus would get.

Indianapolis tacked on 2 insurance runs in the 7th for the final run count. Steve Pearce continued his hot hitting ways against the Clippers with a 3 for 4 night, raising his season average vs. Columbus to .560 (14/25). Hector Ambriz pitched another scoreless inning as he continued his Major League rehab assignment.

The 2nd and last game of the short series will be an 11:00am 1st pitch with Jeanmar Gomez pitching for Columbus against an Indianapolis hurler yet to be determined.