The Columbus Clippers couldn’t generate any offense in their Wednesday match-up with the Toledo Mud Hens at Huntington Park, falling 3-1. Three Toledo pitchers combined to allow only four Clippers’ hits, all singles. Here are our three takeaways from Wednesday’s game:

1.    Toledo starter Dylan File is off to a solid start. The 29-year-old right-hander went six innings Thursday, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two. He is now 3-0 on the season with an ERA of 3.38. File is an illustration of determination. He was drafted in 2017 by the Milwaukee Brewers out of Dixie State in Utah. Now in the Detroit system, it is his fourth organization in as many seasons. He has pitched in 156 minor league games without a Big League call-up. Is this the year?

2.   Juan Brito is back with the Clippers and was in the lineup at second base Wednesday. Brito was called up by Cleveland on April 7. He played in 15 games, hitting just .176 with no home runs and three RBIs. The Guardians made the decision this week to promote their top prospect, Travis Bazzana, from Columbus and that made Brito the odd man out. 

3.   In the loss Wednesday, two Columbus relievers continued to perform well. Daniel Espino threw a scoreless inning. His fastball was consistently 96mph and his slider was effective. Keep in mind that he did not play in 2023 and 2024 with knee and shoulder injuries and made only one appearance late last season. Franco Aleman closed out the game with two perfect innings. He has yet to surrender an earned run this season in ten innings pitched.