COLUMBUS – The Clippers beat Toledo, 7-0, Sunday in the final of their four-game series at Huntington Park, avoiding a sweep at the hands of the Mud Hens.
The three games the Clippers lost, however, was enough to cost them the lead in the International League West, where they trail Indianapolis by 1 ½ games.
Columbus jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning on a Ronny Rodriguez home run and an Erik Kratz RBI single against losi9ng pitcher Myles Jaye (2-5).
With the score 5-0 in the eighth, Eric Stamets put the exclamation point on the win with a two-run home run.
Ryan Merritt (9-5) gave up only three hits in 5 2/3 shutout innings to get the win for Columbus, which heads out on the road for seven games in Rochester and Pawtucket.