The Columbus Clippers pitching staff had been very much in control this season, until yesterday when they allowed 16 runs, including nine in one inning, losing to the Toledo Mud Hens 16-1.
“We didn’t play very well today. This is probably our ugliest game since opening day,” Clippers manager Bucky Dent said.
The players must have felt the same way after the game because they held a players-only meeting resolving to not let this happen again.
“I didn’t tell them anything. They got together themselves. We have some veterans, and today was the kind of game that doesn’t sit well with them,” Dent said after the game.
The game began with the Mud Hens jumping out to a 2-0 lead on RBI singles by third baseman Kevin Witt and first baseman Derek Nicholson.
Columbus starter Mike Thurman (0-3) settled down and did not allow any runs until the fifth inning. With two outs in the fifth, Thurman surrendered three consecutive hits to run the score to 4-0. He issued walks to Nicholson and Ross to load the bases.
Dent then brought in right-hander Sam Marsonek, who promptly walked the next three batters to cushion the Mud Hens’ lead at 7-0. The Mud Hens second baseman Warren Morris, who belted the second pitch over the right field fence for a grand slam and an 11-0 Mud Hens lead. The inning finally ended when right fielder Craig Monroe popped out to right field.
“It’s very frustrating, they scored nine runs with two outs and nobody on,” Dent said.
Toledo wasn’t done offensively, adding another run in the sixth inning. Then in the seventh, center fielder Andres Torres doubled off the first pitch he saw from right-hander David Shepard.
After getting Morris to ground out, Shepard walked Monroe and plunked Evans to load the bases. This brought up designated hitter Ernie Young, who singled in two runs for even more insurance and a 15-0 lead.
During the bottom half of the seventh, Clippers third baseman Drew Henson hit a 400-foot solo home run off left-hander Steve Avery to make the score 15-1.
“I’ve been trying to take good swings and stay back on the ball and I got it,” Henson said.
It was the only run allowed by Toledo. Starter Chris Mears pitched six scoreless innings and earned his first win of the season. The right-hander only walked one batter and did not allow more than two hits in any inning.
The Mud Hens’ offense was led by Witt, who went three for three with two RBIs.
Thurman took the loss for the Clippers by allowing seven earned runs in four and 2/3 innings. The bullpen did not do much better with Marsonek allowing five runs and Shepard surrendering three.
“We have a long way to go and sometimes it takes a little time to get the right combination of things. But, we are going to work at it,” Dent said.
Columbus now 4-9, is in last place in the Western Division of the International League.
“When we come back tomorrow we have to some pride in what we do, myself included,” Henson said.
The Clippers continue their home stand tonight beginning a two-game series with the Norfolk Tides at 7:05 p.m. at Cooper Stadium.
