Columbus concludes 2013 with victory

In the final game of the 2013 season, Columbus defeated Toledo 8-7 on a game-winning RBI single by Chun Chen at Huntington Pak.

The Mud Hens wasted no time as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first on a Jordan Lennerton RBI double and Ben Guez RBI single. The Clippers responded in the bottom half of the frame when Matt LaPorta blasted a two run shot into the left field bleachers. The long ball gave LaPorta the record for most home runs hit by a single player at Huntington Park (38).

Lennerton helped the Hens regain the lead with an RBI single in the top of the third. A Danny Dorn RBI groundout to shortstop and a Ronny Paulino RBI single extended Toledo's advantage to 5-2.

Columbus got one of those runs back when Ezequiel Carrera scored from third on a 4-6-3 double play turned in the bottom of the third. The Clippers then inched a little closer with an Omir Santos solo homer in the fourth.

The Clippers retook the lead in the bottom of the fifth thanks to shoddy defense exhibited by Toledo. With a runner on first and two outs, Nate Spears sent a dribbler up the third base line. The throw from Joe Link to first was nowhere close as it pin-balled within the Clippers bullpen. Chun Chen scored on the play which tied the game at 5-5.

During that same inning, Columbus grabbed another lead, 6-5, when Spears scored from third on an Argenis Diaz error at shortstop. The Clippers later tallied another run on a Ryan Rohlinger RBI single in the bottom of the sixth.

The Hens made it a 7-6 affair with Ronnie Paulino RBI single in the top of the seventh. They then tied it at 7-7 on a John Murrian solo homer in the eighth.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Clippers looked to end 2013 with a bang. Ryan Rohlinger led off the frame with a walk. After a Jeremy Hermida pop-out in foul territory. Matt LaPorta singled to left to move Rohlinger into scoring position. Chun Chen played the role of hero, driving in Rohlinger with a game-winning RBI single to left. Francisco Valera (W, 1-0) got the win for Columbus. Kerry Faulk (L, 0-3) took the loss for Toledo.

The Clippers finish 2013 with a 71-73 record while Toledo finishes with a 61-83 mark. A total of 635, 613 fans came through the gates of Huntington Park this season and the Clippers led minor league baseball in average attendance with 9,212. Thank you fans for your continued support. See you in 2014!