Playoff Recap 9/16: Clippers, Captains Walkoff Losers

Photo credit: Lianna Holub/IPI

Clippers fall in the ninth in Durham

A ninth-inning sacrifice fly kept the champagne on ice for Columbus and the Durham Bulls alive in the Governors' Cup finals. The Clippers clawed back from a 2-0 deficit, but were done in by Leslie Anderson's line drive out to center, which scored Elliot Johnson in walk-off style.

The Clippers had chances early but couldn't cash in, leaving a runner stranded at third base in each of the first three innings.

Durham broke the scoreless tie, and took their first lead of the Governors' Cup series, by scoring twice in the fifth. Angel Chavez doubled with one out, then scored on Rashad Eldridge's single. Eldridge, who advanced all the way to third on an Ezequiel Carrera error, then scored on a sacrifice fly.

Wes Hodges cut the 2-0 deficit in half in the sixth, with a blast over the 32-foot Blue Monster in left field. It was the third postseason home run for Hodges.

In the eighth, Hodges drove in the game-tying run when he singled home Cord Phelps, who had hit a one-out double.

Yohan Pino went eight innings for Columbus, allowing just one earned run off of three hits. He struck out two.

Josh Judy came on for the ninth and got into trouble quickly. It was a walk, a single and an intentional walk to load the bases that set the stage for Anderson. The speedy Johnson beat Carrera's throw home, giving Durham a 3-2 victory.

Paolo Espino, who earned the clinching victory in the semifinal series against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, will get the ball Friday night against Paul Phillips, a righty who also won his semifinal start. First pitch is set for 7:05.

Captains Lose 8-7 in 18 Innings as L