Clippers rally past Mud Hens

7/8/2011

COLUMBUS -- It appeared that the Toledo Mud Hens were going to cruise to victory in Columbus as they led 3-0 heading into the bottom of the eighth. However, a six-run rally allowed the Clippers to take a lead they would not give back as they won 6-3 Thursday night.

Timo Perez got the Hens on the scoreboard first when he lined a RBI double to centerfield to score Argenis Diaz in the third.

Ryan Strieby led off the next inning by pulling a solo home run over the left field wall.

The Hens scored another run in the sixth. Rehabbing Detroit Tiger Carlos Guillen started the inning off with a single. Strieby put runner on the corners when he followed up with a single of his own. Next, Columbus starting pitcher, Corey Kluber threw a wild pitch that allowed the Hens to score their third run of the game.

Toledo had an opportunity to blow the game wide open in the eighth when they loaded the bases with two outs. However, Danny Worth struck out preventing the Hens from widening their lead.

Toledo starter Thad Weber was taken out in the eighth after giving up a leadoff bunt single and a walk. Reliever Matt Hoffman immediately gave up a RBI single which delivered Columbus' first run of the game.

Next, Hoffman hit a batter to load the bases with no outs. Hoffman was able to force the Clippers into an RBI fielder's choice before being taken out for Chance Ruffin. However, Ruffin didn't fare much better as he gave up a go-ahead three-run home run to Jerad Head.