COLUMBUS – Holding a comfortable 10-game lead in the International League West division, the Clippers will be playing the final 15 games of the regular season against division opponents, beginning with the Louisville Bats, who come to Huntington Park for a four-game series beginning Monday night.
Columbus won four games during a seven-game road trip through the South Division, despite suffering an 8-2 loss to Charlotte Sunday.
Indians ace Corey Kluber, who hasn’t pitched in the majors since breaking his arm during a start on May 1, started the game but was removed after one inning for precautionary reasons, suffering from abdominal tightness.
The two-time Cy Young winner was making his third start as he attempts to return from injury. Kluber walked two and didn’t allow a run in his one inning before talking to trainers and leaving the game.
Matt Tomshaw (3-1) and Zac Thompson combined to hold the Clippers to six hits.
The Clippers’ magic number for clinching the IL West is six and Columbus travel to Indianapolis Aug. 30-31.