Columbus breaks four-game losing streak, 7-1
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By Jim Pete August 17, 2012
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Columbus, OH: Columbus had both its pitching and hitting in rhythm Thursday night, and a victory against the Durham Bulls was the end result.
The Clippers, after losing the first two games of their series with the Bulls, defeated Durham, 7-1, at Huntington Park Thursday. The Clippers were riding a four-game losing streak heading into Thursday night's contest.
Columbus was paced on the mound by T.J McFarland. The left-hander went seven innings. McFarland allowed one run on six hits while striking out six Bulls and walking one. It was the sixth victory of the season for the left-hander.
The Clippers' bullpen was just as solid as McFarland. Ludovicus Van Mil pitched two-shutout innings in relief. The seven-foot-one-inch right-hander gave up no hits while striking one and walking one.
Durham scored its lone run in the top of the second inning on a single up the middle. The Bulls had six hits in the game, going 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
Where Durham struggled, the Clippers thrived.
Columbus got production from just about everyone in its lineup and went 4-for-13 with runners in scoring position. As potent as they were at the plate, the Clippers could have been better, as the club left nine runners on base.
Propelling the Columbus offense most of the night was Cord Phelps. The Clippers' second baseman went 4-for-5 with five RBIs. Phelps hit a three-run homer in the third inning, an RBI single in the fifth and smacked a ground-rule double that drove in a run in the eighth.
While Phelps was responsible for most of Columbus' runs, eight of the nine Clippers in the lineup reached base with seven players recording at least one hit.
Shortstop Gregorio Petit hut a solo homer in the second while left fielder Russ Canzler also homered in the third.
Columbus and Durham will play the final game of their series Friday at 7:05 p.m.
Jim is currently the co-site editor, the ATF/Carolina Mudcats/Indians/General Site Columnist, and the co-host of IPI's weekly online radio show, Smoke Signals. You can follow Jim on Twitter @Jim_IPI, or contact him via e-mail at jpete@indiansprospectinsider.com.
