Kluber, Clippers shut out Gwinnett, 4-0

GWINNETT - Behind one big inning--one big hit, really--the Clippers defeated the Gwinnett Braves on Thursday night.

Columbus had a four-run sixth inning and got a very solid outing from left-hander Corey Kluber. With the 4-0 victory, the Clippers took game one of the four-game set between the two clubs.

After a single by second baseman Cord Phelps and walks from designated hitter Jared Goedert and left fielder Tim Fedroff, Russ Canzler came through in the sixth. The first baseman hit a grand slam to center field, plating Columbus' first and only runs of the game.

The sixth was the first inning the Clippers got anything going against Braves starter, Jair Jurrjens. The hard-throwing right-hander had kept Columbus scoreless through five innings. Jurrjens left the game after striking out three Clippers in 6.2 innings of work.

Phelps was the only Clipper to have a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4. Canzler was the lone Columbus batter who recorded an extra-base hit.

On the mound for Columbus, Kluber kept Gwinnett guessing. He allowed no runs on four hits, striking out five Braves in seven innings of work. While Kluber was on the mound, no Brave got past second base.

After Kluber left the game, the Columbus bullpen preserved the series-opening victory.

The Braves made it interesting in the ninth, getting runners on first-and-second base with one out, but Columbus right-hander Dan Wheeler shut the door, getting the next two Gwinnett batters out.

Columbus and Gwinnett will play game two of the series Friday night at 7:05 p.m.

Andrew Holleran is a third-year journalism student at The Ohio State University. You can follow him on Twitter @andrewjholleran or reach him via e-mail at holleran.9@buckeyemail.osu.edu.