The Columbus Clippers got to Rochester Red Wings starter Alex Meyer early, staking their club to a 5-0 through four innings. It looked like they would walk away with the easy victory, but a late rally made it close. However, the Red Wings could not sustain the momentum and fell by a final of 5-3.

Shaun Marcum started for Columbus and he was cruising through the first five innings. The Clippers starter retired the side in order in the first and fourth, and the Red Wings only threat early on came in the third. In that inning Marcum loaded the bases with two outs, but he was able to retire James Beresford on a ball that fell in front of home plate to end the Rochester threat.

Things were not going as well for Meyer. He kept the Clippers scoreless through the first two innings, but in the third he found himself in trouble. It looked like he would breeze through the frame as well, retiring the first two batters on a strikeout and a popup in foul territory, however, Michael Martinez and Tyler Holt followed with back-to-back singles. That brought up Nick Swisher, who is serving a rehab assignment with Columbus. He lined a Meyer offering into rightfield for a double that scored both runners.

Leading 2-0, the Clippers added to their lead. Giovanny Urshela collected a ground-rule double to lead off the inning, and Carlos Moncrief followed with a single to put runners at the corners with no-one out. Adam Moore then hit a shot into the alley in rightfield for a double that scored Urshela and moved Moncrief to third. One out later Martinez hit into a fielder’s choice that scored Moncrief. Holt then singled to plate Moore to make it 5-0.

The game looked like it may turn into a blowout, but the Rochester Red Wings bullpen came in and delivered. Stephen Pryor, Logan Darnell and Ryan Pressly pitched the last four innings of the game, allowed three hits and no runs, while striking out eight.

The job of the bullpen gave the Rochester Red Wings the chance to get back into the game. It began in the bottom of the sixth when Eddie Rosario led off the frame with his third home run of the year. Two outs later it was Danny Ortiz’s turn as he blasted his third home run of the year as well.

In the seventh, Rochester would add another run. Giovanni Soto took over for Marcum and retired the first two batters, but Aaron Hicks walked and Rosario followed with a single. That brought in Ryan Webb to pitch, who promptly threw a wild pitch to put both runners 90 feet closer to home. Catcher Adam Moore was unable to handle Webb’s next pitch and Hicks scored to make it 5-3.

In the ninth Austin Adams took over looking to close the game out. He struck out Doug Bernier, then gave up a single to Beresford. One out later Hicks struck out to end the game. It was Adams second save of the season.

Marcum (3-0) kept his record perfect on the season with another quality outing. Meyer (1-1) took his first loss of the year.

A big difference in the game was the Red Wings inability to drive runners home who were in scoring position. Rochester was 0-6 in such situations, while Columbus was 5-11.

Tomorrow these two teams will be at it again. The Rochester Red Wings send Jason Wheeler (0-1) to the hill, while Columbus counters with Toru Murata (0-0).

Boxscore Provided by MiLB.com

By Robert Pannier