Near-Perfect Harper Leads Columbus in Doubleheader Sweep
SL Columbus Clingstones

Near-Perfect Harper Leads Columbus in Doubleheader Sweep

Published on August 7, 2025 under Southern League (SL)
Columbus Clingstones News Release


COLUMBUS, GA., - Landon Harper and Lizandro Espinoza led the Columbus Clingstones (17-19, 43-59) to a doubleheader sweep over the Rocket City Trash Pandas (11-25, 35-70) on Thursday at Synovus Park. Harper retired 18 of 19 batters in a perfect game bid that fell just short in a 2-0 Clingstones win. Espinoza crushed his second home run of the day with a three-run shot to propel Columbus to a 4-1 win to complete the sweep.

Decisive Plays (Game 1): Columbus took the early lead on an RBI single from Keshawn Ogans in the third inning. Espinoza hit his first home run (1) of the day in the sixth inning to add to the lead. Harper took his perfect-game bid into the seventh inning where he got the first two outs before a soft liner from Oscar Colas fell in and broke up the brush with history. Harper retired the next batter to seal the 2-0 win.

Key Contributors (Game 1): Harper (7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 SO) finished one batter shy of a perfect game while Ogans (2-for-2, 2B, RBI) and Espinoza (1-for-3, HR, RBI) provided the offense. For Rocket City, Mitch Farris starred on the mound (6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 9 SO).

Decisive Plays (Game 2): Rocket City jumped ahead with an RBI single from Oscar Colas in the first inning. An RBI single from Patrick Clohisy in the fifth inning tied the game at 1-1. Two batters later, Espinoza cranked a three-run home run (2) to push Columbus to a 4-1 lead. Elison Joseph (S, 5) struck out the side in the seventh around a two-out single to complete the doubleheader sweep.

Key Contributors (Game 2): Espinoza (1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI) and Clohisy (1-for-4, RBI) led the Columbus attack. For Rocket City, Colas (1-for-3, RBI) drove in the only run.

Notable: Harper recorded the first complete-game shutout in Clingstones history. Espinoza recorded his first career Double-A home run in the first game of the doubleheader. Columbus improves to 8-8 in doubleheader games this season.

Next Game (Friday, August 8): Columbus vs. Rocket City, 7:05 pm ET at Synovus Park. RHP Lucas Braun will start for Columbus (4-4, 4.28 ERA) opposed by RHP Bryce Osmond (0-0, -.--) for Rocket City. Radio Broadcast: 6:50 pm ET on Sports Visions 92.1 FM.

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Southern League Stories from August 7, 2025


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