4 home runs not enough for Hens

Columbus scores 3 in 7th to break tie

7/25/2012

COLUMBUS -- The Mud Hens hit four home runs, but that didn't keep them from suffering a 7-4 loss to Columbus Tuesday.

The Clippers scored three times in the bottom of the seventh to break a 4-4 tie, and the Hens left the bases loaded in the ninth in their fourth consecutive loss.

The seventh-inning Columbus rally included Rob Waite's bases-loaded walk to Matt Pagnozzi to break the tie, an RBI single by Gregorio Petit, and a run-scoring hit by Ezequiel Carrera off reliever Matt Hoffman.

The Clippers scored a run in the first inning by taking advantage of the wildness of Toledo starter Casey Crosby. He walked Jason Donald and Matt LaPorta sandwiched around a single by Vinny Rottino to load the bases with one out. Jared Goedert then singled to bring home the run.

Ben Guez tied the game in the second with his fourth home run of the season, and Bryan Holaday led off the third with his first home run of the season to give the Hens the lead.

In the bottom of the third the Mud Hens twice failed to turn double plays, and Columbus made them pay when Chad Huffman doubled with two outs to score Cord Phelps.

The Clippers took a 4-2 lead in the fourth when Crosby walked Petit and Carrera followed by hammering his fifth home run of the season.

But Ciriaco got one of those runs back when led off the fifth with a home run, his 10th this season and third in as many days.

Andy Dirks then tied the game with a home run in the sixth. Dirks was 1-for-4 in the third day of his rehab assignment with the Mud Hens.

The teams play a doubleheader today, with a first start of 5:30 p.m.