COLUMBUS – Four Clippers hit home runs on the way to an 8-2 victory Thursday night that gave Columbus the win in a four-game series against the Bats in Louisville.
Brandon Barnes put Columbus on the scoreboard with a two-run homerun in the first inning and his RBI single got the scoring started in the third, which he scored on a two-run double to center field from the next hitter, Francisco Mejia.
Nellie Rodriguez, Mejia and Mike Papi added solo homers over the next two innings and Clippers pitchers allowed only one more run with Evan Marshall (1-0) picking up the win in relief.
Justin Nicolo (2-4) gave up five runs in his three innings of work to take the loss.
The Clippers return home to Huntington Park for a three-game series against Indianapolis, the second-place team in the International League West, three games ahead of the Clippers. First pitch is Friday at 7:15 p.m.