Columbus Clippers (63-80) – AAA
OMA 4 – COL 7
With the Clippers remaining as the sole Cleveland affiliate still playing games, it is always a bonus to have an exciting game. The Omaha Storm Chasers kept things close, but a 3 run 10th inning gave Columbus a walk off win.
John Means continued his rehab assignment Friday night, going 5.1IP, 4H, 3R/ER, 0BB, 4Ks. Means was throwing shutout baseball until the sixth inning when he got into trouble after giving up a solo home run and back-to-back singles. Jack Leftwich finished the sixth inning and pitched
the seventh. In his 1.2IP, he allowed 4H, 1R/0ER, and 0BB. Leftwich allowed one of the inherited runners to score after giving up a double. A fielding error by 2B Yordys Valdes moving the runner to third base. Leftwich attempted to pick off the runner at first, but committed an error that allowed the runner on third to score. Trevor Stephan pitched a 1H inning in the eighth. Franco Aleman and Bradley Hanner both threw no hit, shut out baseball to end the game.
The Clippers took an early lead in the bottom of the first. Milan Tolentino drew a two-out walk then stole second base. Johnathan Rodríguez singled to center, scoring Tolentino. In the bottom of the fifth, they tacked on another run. Petey Halpin and Kahlil Watson hit back-to-back singles to right. On Watson’s single, Petey was able to advance to third, leaving second open for Watson. Unfortunately Watson was caught stealing. Tolentino hit a sac fly to score Halpin before the side was retired.
The game would go runless for a few innings, until the bottom of the ninth. With two outs, Christian Cairo reached on a dropped third strike. He immediately took advantage of the free base, stealing second to put himself in scoring position. Petey Halpin slapped a double to right to tie up the game, sending it to extras.
In the bottom of the 10th, with Kahlil Watson on as the ghost runner and one out, Johnathan Rodríguez was intentionally walked. Then, up to bat, came none other than known power hitter….Will Wilson? WillWill smacked a home run to left for the walk off!
The Clippers only have two games left this season. Daniel Espino will open today’s game in Columbus, his first game since April 2022. It looks like the Guardians aren’t the only team in the organization generating must watch September baseball.
