Luis Valbuena homered twice and Jordan Brown added another, plus another bases-loaded hit, as Columbus swept Pawtucket out of town, 11-7, in front a record-setting crowd of 12,517 Monday night at Huntington Park.
The Clippers jumped out to an early lead with four runs in the first inning, including two on a Brown single, which made him 11-for-14 on the season with the bases loaded.
Valbuena's first home run came with two men aboard in the fourth. He followed that up with a two-run shot in the sixth, and Brown went yard two batters later. An RBI single in the eighth gave Brown four RBIs on the evening, one fewer than Valbuena's tally. Both players finished the series with eight RBIs, and they combined for 18 hits in the four games.
Pawtucket was able to hang around all night long, thanks to four home runs of their own. A three-run blast from Gustavo Molina in the top of the sixth cut their deficit to 7-6, but that is as close as they would get.
Justin Germano got the win for the Clippers, pitching into the sixth inning and getting help from four different relievers. In a non-save situation, Vinnie Pestano struck out the side in the ninth on Columbus' 64th win of the season and sent a huge dime-a-dog night crowd home happy.
The Clippers continue their homestand Tuesday night when they welcome in Buffalo for the first of four at 7:05. It will be the first meeting of the season for the Clippers and the Bisons.
