Clippers Lose Pitchers’ Duel to Durham in 11th Inning

The Columbus Clippers (13-14) lost to the Durham Bulls (19-11) 1-0 Saturday. Thanks to phenomenal pitching performances by each starter the game was scoreless all game until Jerry Sands hit a walk-off single in the 11th inning.

Kirby Yates (1-0, 0.61 ERA) was the winning pitcher for Durham pitching one and two-thirds innings in relief with one hit, one walk and four strikeouts. Frank Herrmann (1-1, 1.93 ERA) took the loss pitching one and one-third innings out of the bullpen for Columbus and was charged the winning run. Herrmann gave up only one hit, but walked three with three strikeouts.

Each starter notched a quality start, though they each also received no-decisions. Merrill Kelly (4-0, 1.67 ERA) went seven and two-thirds innings and allowed no runs on three hits with nine strikeouts and a pair of walks for Durham. Trevor Bauer (3-0, 1.10 ERA) went seven innings and allowed no runs on six hits with three strikeouts and two walks. For Bauer all five of his starts with Columbus have been quality starts.

Columbus’ defense helped the pitchers turning four doubleplays and picked off a runner as well. The Clippers also had to work around consecutive bases loaded no out jams in the seventh and eighth innings. In the seventh Bauer struck out a man for the first out and got a ground ball to turn two and end the seventh. After Blake Wood failed to record an out for Columbus in the eighth Scott Barnes bailed out Columbus with a pair of strikeouts and Vinnie Pestano got a groundout to end the inning.

Durham loaded the bases again in the 11th on a walk and a pair of bunts with no outs, but the third time was the charm. Sands came in to pinch hit after the bases were loaded by Herrmann. Sands ended the game with a single off of Mike Zagurski.

The win for Durham will force Columbus to go for the series win Sunday as the Clippers lead two games two one in the four-game set.

The final game of the series will be a 5:05 p.m. first pitch Sunday afternoon. T.J. House (1-1, 1.59 ERA) will get the start for Columbus against Nate Karns (2-2, 8.20 ERA) for Durham.