Clippers earn comeback win in Columbus

It appeared that the Toledo Mud Hens were going to cruise to victory in Columbus as they led 3-0 heading into the bottom of the eighth. However, a six run bottom of the eighth inning rally allowed the Clippers to take a lead they would not give back as they won 6-3 Thursday night.

Timo Perez got the Hens on the scoreboard first when he lined a RBI double to centerfield to score in Argenis Diaz in the third.

Ryan Strieby led off the next inning by pulling a solo home run over the left field wall.

The Hens scored another run in the sixth. Rehabbing Detroit Tiger Carlos Guillen started the inning off with a single. Strieby put runner on the corners when he followed up with a single of his own. Next, Columbus starting pitcher, Corey Kluber threw a wild pitch that allowed the Hens to score their third run of the game.

Toledo had an opportunity to blow the game wide open in the eighth when they loaded the bases with two outs. However, Danny Worth struck out preventing the Hens from widening their lead.

After a masterful 7.0 innings, Toledo starter RHP Thad Weber was taken out in the bottom of eighth after he gave up a leadoff bunt single and walk. Reliever LHP Matt Hoffman immediately gave up a RBI single which delivered Columbus' first run of the game. Next, Hoffman hit a batter to load the up the bases with no outs. Hoffman was able to force the Clipper's into a RBI 6-3 fielder's choice before being taken out for RHP Chance Ruffin. However, Chance did not fare much better than Hoffman as he gave up a go-ahead three-run home run to Jerad Head. The Clippers added their sixth run of the inning on a RBI double that just got by a diving left fielder Perez. RHP Jose Ortega was able to get the final two outs of the inning.

The Hens went quietly in the ninth as they had a 1-2-3 inning.

Toledo concludes its road trip with a Friday night contest at the Columbus Clippers. The Hens return home on Saturday where they will continue to take on their Buckeye rivals.

Game Notes

• Carlos Guillen now has hits in four of his six games with the Mud Hens.
• Carlos Guillen had his first multi-hit game with the Hens this season.
• The Hens are now 32-4 when leading after seven innings.