Due to heavy rain that postponed the season opener originally scheduled for Thursday night, the 2014 edition of the Columbus Clippers instead began their season Friday evening against the Indianapolis Indians in the first of a four game series and seven game homestand. The Clippers, under the helm of second year manager Chris Tremie, played before a sparse crowd on opening night, likely due to the cool and cloudy weather, as well as the game taking place concurrent to the third to last home game for the Blue Jackets.
The Clippers, coming off a 2013 campaign that ended with a record of 71-73, lost 2-1 in extra innings Friday night.
Trevor Bauer got the start for the Clippers and pitched six innings, giving up one run. Columbus fell behind 1-0 in the third inning, but tied the game 1-1 in the fifth inning when David Cooper scored on a sacrifice fly by leadoff hitter Jose Ramirez. That was all the scoring that took place during regulation. However, in the top of the 10th inning Indianapolis took the lead 2-1 as Matt Hague scored after a line drive to center field off the bat of third baseman Brent Morel. The Clippers were unable to add a run in the bottom of the 10th, ending the game.
Unlike some professional sports teams that maintain fairly stable rosters throughout an entire season, a minor league team inevitably experiences changes to the lineup each year as players get opportunities to move up to the big leagues, making it sometimes difficult for the casual fan to get to know individual players. Yet, the talent is there. As the rosters stood on opening day, the Clippers featured thirteen players who were on Major League rosters at some point last season; some with extensive MLB experience, such as Josh Tomlin who has pitched for the Clippers’ major league affiliate Cleveland Indians for part of each of the past four seasons.
To make up for Thursday’s postponement, the Clippers will play a double header Saturday. The first game will start at 3:05pm with Tomlin getting the start, and the second game will begin at 7:05pm with Brett Brach pitching.
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Information on future games can be found at: www.milb.com.
