With a 6-5 win at St. Paul Sunday, the Columbus Clippers captured the series, four games to two, and posted their fifth straight series win. Sunday’s victory was contested until the last out. The Clippers’ bullpen overcame a tough week with 3.2 solid innings of work.

The Clippers took an early lead when Johnathan Rodriguez hit a two-run homer in the top of the first inning. It was Rodriguez’s 17th long ball of the season. He trails only Jhonkensy Noel, who has been with the Cleveland Guardians since June 26, for the team lead. Noel hit 18 before moving up.

The Saints tied the score in the bottom of the first. Edouard Julien responded with a two-run roundtripper of his own. Columbus took the lead for good in the fourth inning, scoring three runs. Myles Straw doubled in two runs and Christian Cairo knocked in a run on a squeeze bunt that turned into a hit.

Saint Paul cut the lead to 5-4 in the fifth with another two-run homer, this one from Anthony Prato. Columbus starter Logan Allen (3-0) would go one batter into the sixth inning before giving way to the relief corps. Allen allowed four runs on four hits and four walks, while striking out seven and picked up the win.

The Clippers recorded one more score, when Angel Martínez hit a solo home run in the seventh inning. It was his sixth in a Columbus uniform this season. The Saints once again cut the lead to one run on a Chris Williams homer in the eighth. 

Andrew Walters nailed down the win with a scoreless ninth, striking out three Saints’ batters. It was his sixth save of the campaign. The loss went to Christian MacLeod (0-1) in his Triple-A debut.

The Clippers have Monday off before playing six games in Des Moines against the Iowa Cubs beginning Tuesday. Doug Nikhazy (4-1) will get the ball in the opener for Columbus at Principal Park.