The Columbus Clippers jumped out to an early 3-run lead tonight and hit the visiting Pawtucket Red Sox’s pitching staff hard all night en route to a 4-1 victory.

Jorge Padilla, who went 3-4 with a double, started off the bottom of the first with a single on a line drive to right field.  Roger Bernadina followed with a single and reached second on a fielding error by Red Sox CF Sean Danielson, allowing Padilla to score.  Red Sox starter Michael Bowden’s early troubles continued as Bernadina was then knocked in by Luis Antonia Jimenez who notched a double.

A third run was added in the bottom of the second after Leonard Davis started the inning with a ground-rule double.

The Clippers offense hit up the Red Sox pitching staff for a total of 11 hits - only Yurendell de Caster and Luke Montz failing to hit safely.

Garret Mock pitched a solid 7 innings and earned his 6th win of the season as he gave up one unearned run while notching 6 strikeouts.

Chris Schroder struck out two of the three batters he faced to record the save.

Picture: C Luke Montz had a tough time getting anything going.  He was 0-4 with 2 strikeouts and 5 runners LOB.

On Saturday evening, Clippers fans watched their team pull off some magic to withstand an early set of back-to-back homers by the Buffalo Bisons.

Pitcher Collin Balester earned the win for the AAA Clippers after giving up three solo shots in five innings.  Luckily for him, the Clippers offense was firing thanks to shortstop Ray Olmedo.

Following some nifty base running in the second inning that saw Olmedo steal home after an attempt was made at Jemel Spearman stealing second, the home team put up four runs in the third inning capped by Olmedo’s 2-run ground out - a rare sight indeed.  The final score was 6-3.

The Buffalo team, rumored to be playing a lot more often in Columbus next year, allowed hits from 7 of the 9 Clipper batters.  Only Yurendell de Caster and Alex Escobar were hitless, ending a 17-game hitting streak for Escobar.

Ketchup won the hot dog race.

On a night perfect for watching a baseball game, the defenses for the Columbus Clippers and Durham Bulls did just that. 

Sloppy fielding and a shoddy third inning for the Clippers led to an easy 11-5 win for the visiting Durham Bulls.

A relatively small crowd (considering it was the first dime-a-dog night) watched starter Jason Stanford give up a quick five runs in the third and another two followed after Dennis Tankersley replaced him just an out into the inning.

The Clippers fought back in the seventh when Ryan Langerhans hit a three-run homer deep to right field followed immediately by a Kory Casto homer to the same spot.  But it wasn’t enough for the home team to come back as the Clippers’ offense faltered in the eighth, leaving the tying man at the plate before ending the inning.

Thank goodness for ten cent hot dogs.

Box Score
Photo Gallery

Ed. note:  Johnny Estrada was 1 for 4 with a strike out.  He left 3 men on base.