The Columbus Clippers swept the Toledo Mud Hens in a three-game series at Fifth Third Park, outscoring the Hens 16-6. The Clippers head home to try to gain ground against division leader, Indianapolis.

The opening game saw the Clippers take a 2-0 lead on a James Ramsey RBI double and Adam Moore’s RBI single in the fourth inning, only to see the Mud Hens tie the game with RBI doubles in the fourth and fifth innings.

Columbus took advantage of timely hitting and a throwing error to put up two runs in the top of the sixth inning. Michael Martinez stroked a single to center field that scored Erik Gonzales and James Ramsey.

That was all the runs they would need as Tyler Sturdevant, Giovanni Soto and C.C. Lee held Toledo scoreless over the final three innings, Lee picked up his fourth save on the campaign. Jarrett Grube (3-0) pitched five innings in the win, he was charged with two runs on five hits and two walks with six strike outs.

The Clippers hammered out ten hits, 5 for extra bases, in a 6-3 win in game two of the series. Michael Martinez had a big night for Columbus, with a pair of triples and a double in four plate appearances.

Five Columbus pitchers worked the game with Toru Murata (6-4) getting the win and Carlos Marmol (S, 1) the save. Murata struck out six in 6.2 innings of work. He gave up two earned runs on seven hits and one walk.

Columbus scored single runs in the second and sixth innings, while adding two runs each in the seventh and ninth innings. Jesus Aguilar had a pair of RBI’s and Erik Gonzales stroked his first home run as a Clippers player, a solo shot over the wall in left field, in the top of the second inning.

Michael Roth (7-4) pitched a complete game five-hitter as the Clippers routed the Mud Hens 6-1, to win the series finale. Roth struck out four and walked one while allowing one run on the night. He threw 106 pitches, 73 for strikes and only once faced more than four batters in one inning.

James Ramsey and Zach Walters each homered in the game while Adam Moore and Tyler Naquin each had a pair of hits for the Clippers.

The Clippers are five games behind Indianapolis in the International League West as the two teams square off at Huntington Park for three games prior to the Triple-A All-Star break.

By Mike Tanchevski