Game Recaps 8/23: Clippers clinch division title

Paolo Espino (Photo: IPI)

Clippers blank Bisons 5-0, Clinch division

Paolo Espino received the help of three home runs and the Clippers snapped their four-game losing streak, beating the Bisons, 5-0. Second place Indianapolis lost on Tuesday night 7-6, and with their loss combined with the Clippers win the Columbus Clippers clinched the International League's West Division.

Jared Goedert and Jerad Head provided solo shots in the first and fourth while Cord Phelps homered with a man on in the seventh to help the Clippers avoid the sweep. A Paul Phillips RBI single in the eighth stretched the lead to five.

Paolo Espino dominated in another spot start as he went seven innings, giving up two hits and striking out seven. Nick Hagadone and Josh Judy pitched a scoreless inning of relief a piece.

Tuesday also proved to be a solid game defensively for Clippers. Chad Huffman saved a run in the fourth inning as he crashed into the wall in right-center field to make the catch on a fly ball out.

After losing three of four at Huntington Park, Columbus will play International League west rival Indianapolis for a two-game set starting Wednesday at 7:05. Mitch Talbot (1-2, 5.68) will toe the rubber for the Clippers against the Indians' Nelson Figueroa.

Adams, Aeros down Baysox

Right-handed pitcher Austin Adams tossed seven scoreless innings to lead the Akron Aeros to a 4-2 win in game two of a three-game series against the Bowie Baysox Tuesday at Prince George