STAFF REPORTS
COLUMBUS, O.H. — Lewis Thorpe turned in a quality start in his Triple-A debut, but it wasn’t enough as Columbus clipped the Wings, 3-2, Wednesday afternoon to win the three-game set at Huntington Park.
Thorpe’s debut could not have started better as he struck out the side in the first inning. In the second frame he was aided by a tremendous, home run-robbing grab from LaMonte Wade in left field to keep the game scoreless.
Columbus got to the southpaw for a run in the fourth inning on an Adam Rosales RBI double.
The Wings (54-66) would answer the next half inning as Taylor Motter doubled home Wade to even things at 1-1.
Back came Columbus in the fifth as Brandon Barnes lifted the first pitch from Thorpe over the left field fence for a two-run homer to give the Clippers back the lead, 3-1.
The Barnes homer would turn out to be the difference as the Wings could only muster a Kennys Vargas solo, ninth inning home run the rest of the way.
Thorpe’s final line looked like this: 6.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R/ER, 0 BB, 9 SO as he suffered the tough-luck loss.
Vargas, Wade and Motter were the only Wings to record a hit on the day.
Luke Bard relieved Thorpe and tossed 1.2 innings of scoreless relief.
The Wings west division road trip continues on Thursday when they open a four-game set against the Toledo Mud Hens. Fernando Romero (4-4, 3.30) will make the start for the Wings in the lid lifter.
