TOLEDO – The Mud Hens jumped on Columbus starter Toru Murata early and stifled the Clippers’ bats on the way to a 5-1 win over the International League West Division champs Thursday night.
After Murata (7-4) retired the side in the 1st inning, the Hens woke up, touching him for two runs on three hits in the 2nd and another run on a Dean Green double in the 3rd.
The Clippers were shut out until the 7th, when Guillermo Quiroz singled on a line drive to left field and brought Jesus Aguilar around to score from second base.
Murata was eventually tagged for four runs on nine hits while Jaye Miler held the Clippers to just three hits and a run in picking up his first win in three decisions for Toledo.
The two teams wrap up their brief series Friday night at 7:05 p.m. before the Clippers return to host Louisville for two games Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.