COLUMBUS – Buffalo opened a three-game series by beating the Clippers 7-5 Monday night at Huntington Park, ending their six-game losing streak.
Chris Rowley (2-2) only four hits and a walk and struck out five Columbus hitters over six innings of work.
The Clippers rallied to score four times in the bottom of the ninth. Nellie Rodríguez blasted a homer to center for a three-run shot, his second home run of the game. Columbus would bring the tying run to the plate but were stopped short as Chris Smith came on to close it out and earn his fifth save of the season.
Jarrett Grube (3-5) took the loss for the Clippers.
The two teams will play the second game of the series Tuesday night at 6:05 p.m.