The Columbus Clippers split a two-game series with the Louisville Bats at Slugger Field, the games were played  as a Friday double-header due to a first game weather suspension. Columbus took game one 7-1 with the Bats taking the second game, which was reduced to seven innings, 3-2.

The Clippers had five extra base hits, three home runs and two doubles, in their game one victory. Tyler Naquin, Brett Hayes and Jerry Sands homered with Zach Walters and Erik Gonzales each doubling.

Jesus Aguilar singled home Jose Ramirez in the top of the first to put the Clippers up 1-0, that lead would hold up overnight as the game was suspended in the third inning.

Jarrett Grube, Columbus and Matt Buschmann, Louisville started Thursday’s game. When the game resumed Nick Maronde, Columbus and Tony Cingrani, Louisville came on to pitch when play resumed on Friday, none of the four factored in the decision.

Louisville’s Brennan Boesch hit his first home run of the season in the fourth inning tying the game 1-1.

Columbus then attacked Louisville pitching scoring in the final four innings in route to the win.

Scoring occurred in the following fashion:

• One run in the sixth, Naquin home run
• Three runs in the seventh on the Walters and Gonzales doubles and the Hayes home run
• One run in the eighth, Sands home run
• Tyler Holt’s RBI single

Tyler Sturdevant pitched two innings for the Clippers and picked up the win. Donovan Hand was the losing pitcher for the Bats.

Robert Stephenson (1-0) and Jumbo Diaz (S, 5) limited the Clippers to five hits in the second game. Stephenson pitched five innings allowing both runs on four hits, three walks with six strike outs. Diaz worked two scoreless innings giving up one hit with eight strike outs.

Toru Murata, starting for the first time since pitching for the Cleveland Indians, pitched all six innings for the Clippers. Murata gave up seven hits and four walks, while striking out one; he gave up one home run.

The Bats scored first on a bases loaded fielder’s choice in the bottom of the first inning.

Columbus came back to take a 2-1 lead the top of the third inning on a Jose Ramirez RBI single that scored Tyler Naquin who doubled.

Brennan Boesch tied the game with his second home run of the season, a fourth inning solo shot to center field. Louisville took the lead in the fifth inning on a pair of doubles by Ryan LaMarre and Irving Falu, the second plated LaMarre.

Columbus heads home for three games with Toledo and Louisville travels to Indianapolis.

By Mike Tanchevski