COLUMBUS – The Clippers and Gwinnett Stripers overcame a torrential downpour, a tornado warning, a nearly two-hour delay and half of an extra inning in game one of their three-game set, which Columbus won, 5-4, in walk-off fashion by virtue of a new rule combined with an error.
With the score tied 4-4, Brandon Barnes started the 10th inning at second base under a minor league rule change implemented this season and leadoff hitter Yu Chang bunted a ball towards third that reliever Josh Ravin fielded and overthrew to first base, allowing Barnes to score the winning run.
Gwinnett’s Carlos Franco unloaded a three-run double off reliever Cam Hill in the 8th to knot the game at 4-4.
Robert Zarate (1-0) pitched the 10th inning to get the win for Columbus while Ravin (0-2), who failed to retire a batter in the bottom half of the inning took the loss.
The Clippers and Stripers will go at it again Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. at Huntington Park.