Throughout the first 11 innings of Saturday’s doubleheader against the Richmond Braves, it looked as if the only fireworks the Columbus Clippers’ fans were going to get was a near bench-clearing brawl in the second inning of a 3-0 loss in the opening game.

But lucky for the Clippers, left fielder Juan Rivera and center fielder Marques Thames awoke the crowd with a pair of solo home runs as the Clippers salvaged a split with their 4-3 win in the night cap.

“Those were the two big hits, and that was something we just weren’t doing. We just have to relax at the plate,” said Clipper manager Bucky Dent.

In their four-game losing streak prior to the win, the Clippers had been outscored 28-5 and were held scoreless for 20 innings before designated hitter Fernando Seguignol’s RBI single in the first inning of the second game.

Rivera’s homer in the fifth and Thames’ in the sixth gave lefty Danny Borrell (1-1) his first win of the season on the mound. Borrell went six strong innings, scattering six hits while striking out five. Borrell threw 102 pitches during the night.

“You just keep throwing strikes,” Borrell said. “We got back into it and I just kept throwing strikes and getting people out.”

Borrell’s only bad inning came in the top of the second. After retiring the first two hitters, Borrell surrendered back-to-back singles to the Braves’ right fielder Damon Hollins and second baseman Nick Green. Then, No. 9 hitter and catcher Mike Hubbard sent a 1-2 offering from Borrell over the left field fence, giving Richmond a 3-1 lead.

“I just got the pitch a little up and inside. I was trying to get it further inside and he just did a good job of getting around on it,” Borrell said.

The Clippers cut the deficit to 3-2 in the fourth after Thames scored on second baseman David Post’s grounder. The Braves’ third baseman, Wilson Betemit threw the ball over the head of first baseman Mike Hessman and Thames came around to score.

That set the stage for Rivera and Thames. Rivera’s home run extended his International League-leading hitting streak to 14 games, while Thames shot was his second hit of the game. Both homers came off of Richmond’s losing pitcher Chris Fussell (1-1).

“He just gave me a good pitch to hit. I was just able to jump on it; I have a feeling things are coming around for us,” Thames said.

The first game was typical of the Clippers in their four-game losing streak and the lone Clipper fireworks were provided in the bottom of the second.

In the bottom of the first inning, Seguignol was nailed on the arm by a pitch from Richmond starter Billy Sylvester. Seguignol took exception and pointed at Sylvester with his bat. The two continued to argue with each other as Seguignol headed down to first and home plate umpire Neil Taylor issued warnings to both benches, hoping to stop any retaliation by the Clippers.

In the second inning, after getting the first two hitters out, Clipper starter Adrian Hernandez plunked Jesse Garcia with a fastball. Hernandez quickly went up to Garcia to tell him that he wasn’t trying to hit him, and Taylor seemed content with Hernandez’s explanation.

But third base umpire Trey Nelson came running down the line and ejected Hernandez from the game. Hernandez got in the face of Taylor, while Clipper third baseman Drew Henson tried to keep Columbus’ ace from escalating the situation. Sam Marsonek came in to relieve Hernandez.

That was the only excitement for Clipper fans as the offense continued its futile performance. The Clippers managed only four hits against the Braves, whose pitching staff boosted the highest ERA in the International League.

The Braves scored one run in each the first, third and fifth inning.

Contreras sent down

The Clippers will have a new addition to their pitching staff today after the New York Yankees demoted pitcher Jose Contreras. Contreras, who signed a $32 million, four-year contract after an outstanding career in Cuba, was just 1-0 with a 10.80 ERA in five appearances out of the bullpen this season.

Randy Choate was recalled in Contreras’ spot. Choate was 0-2 with a 2.35 ERA with the Clippers.