COLUMBUS – The Clippers scored five runs on five hits in the third inning Monday night and made that lead stand up as they went on to beat the Bats, 7-4, in Louisville.
A two-run doubles by Mike Papi and an RBI triple off the bat of Eric Haase were the biggest blows, but Drew Maggi knocked in a run with another double and Brandon Barnes contributed an RBI as Columbus hitters chased starter Homer Bailey (0-1).
Shao-Ching Chang (1-0) gave up the Bats’ only runs as Louisville cut the lead to 5-4 in the bottom of the inning but settled down and, with the help of three relievers, shut out the Bats the rest of the way.
The two teams meet up for the second game of the four-game series at Louisville Slugger Field Tuesday at 7:05 p.m.