COLUMBUS – The Clippers to the Syracuse Chiefs, 5-3, Sunday at Huntington Park, evening their series at two games apiece on the eve of a showdown with International League West Division leaders Indianapolis.
Ryan Merritt tossed seven scoreless innings, scattering six hits striking out five hitters but the bullpen couldn’t close the door, allowing Syracuse back into the game in with two runs in the eighth inning. Ben Taylor gave up an RBI single to Moises Sierra after it ricocheted off Yu Chang’s glove at short and that tied the score at 2-2.
The Chiefs loaded the bases for Jose Marmolejos in the top of the 10th and he delivered, driving a bases-clearing double to the wall in right off loser Cole Sulser (4-4) for the 5-2 lead.
Derek Self (1-0) got the win for the Chiefs.
The Clippers head to Indianapolis Tuesday for a three-game series with the Indians, who lead Columbus by a single game in the division race.