COLUMBUS – The Clippers scored five runs in the third inning and held on to beat the Rochester Red Wings 8-5 at Huntington Park Friday night.
Trenton Brooks hit a three-run homer as Columbus jumped out to a 6-1 lead, chasing starter Jefry Rodriguez (1-3) and reliever Francisco Perez.
John Nagowski cut the lead to one run with a two-run homer in the sixth inning before the Clippers scored two runs in the eighth when shortstop C J. Abrams made a bad throw on Will Brennan’s infield single.
Konnor Pilkington (2-0) gave up four runs as the Red Wings battled back but got the win and Anthony Castro earned his second save of the season when Andrew Stevenson grounded out to Brooks at first base to end the game.