Fife Fabulous into Eighth against Toledo
Published on May 23, 2018 under International League (IL1)
Columbus Clippers News Release
Despite a slow offensive start, the Columbus Clippers' bats came alive to take game two against the Toledo Mud Hens tonight at Huntington Park.
A timely three-run fifth inning helped guide the Clippers to a 5-3 victory over the league-leading Mud Hens.
Stephen Fife (3-4) got the start for Columbus and surrendered one run in the first inning when shortstop Yu Chang could not handle a floater off the bat of Chad Huffman as it entered the outfield.
Down 1-0, the Clippers didn't score until the fifth frame, but they both tied it and took the lead in the inning. With two men on, Mike Papi singled to center, knotting the game at 1-1. The next batter, Yandy Diaz, scored two more to take a 3-1 lead when he powered a double into the right-centerfield gap.
The Clippers provided Fife with some breathing room in the sixth after Eric Haase knocked his team-leading fourth homerun of the year to the deepest part of the ballpark in left-center.
Ahead 4-1, Fife held the Mud Hens at bay into eighth inning. After recording the first two outs of the eighth, he allowed back-to-back hits and was lifted for Robert Zarate, who gave up a two-run single to make it 4-3. On the evening, Fife allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits, while walking two and fanning four in his seven and two-thirds innings.
Brandon Barnes continued his hot series for the Clippers, ripping a RBI single in the bottom of the eighth to extend the Clippers' lead to 5-3.
Matt Belisle, who earned the final out of the eighth, stayed on the bump in the ninth to earn his first save of the season and the 5-3 Columbus victory.
The Clippers and Mud Hens will do battle tomorrow night at Huntington Park with first pitch set for 6:35 p.m.
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- Fife Fabulous into Eighth against Toledo - Columbus Clippers
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