COLUMBUS – The Clippers and Bats combined for 20 runs and 28 hits but it was Columbus that made the most noise where it counted in a 15-5 drubbing of Louisville in the first game of a five-game series at Huntington Park Monday night.
Columbus did the most damage in the bottom of the third inning on Richie Shaffer’s grand slam and a two-run homer by Mike Papi that gave the Clippers a 6-0 lead.
The Bats rallied for four runs in the fifth but the Clippers added three in the sixth and five more in the bottom of the seventh to put the game well out of reach.
Columbus starter Julian Merryweather (2-0) allowed 10 hits, four runs, including three homers, in six innings for the win.
Bats righty Austin Ross (1-1) gave up six runs on eight hits for the loss.
Game two is set for 7:05 p.m. Tuesday at Huntington Park.