As the Columbus Clippers battle for first place in the International League’s second half of the season, every game is crucial. The Clippers rallied for a walk-off win in Wednesday’s home game with the St. Paul Saints. Thursday’s game was no easier. Raynel Delgado hit a three-run homer to deliver what was the game-winning blow in the Clips’ 8-7 victory.

The Saints led the game off with a run in the first inning. The Clippers responded in the second with an unearned run on a throwing error. Columbus then took a lead in the third when Angel Martínez hit a two-run shot, his seventh long ball of the season. After three innings, the Clips led 3-1. 

With two outs in the fourth inning, St. Paul put four runs on the board. The Saints hit three doubles and a single against Columbus starter Connor Gillispie. The teams traded runs in the sixth. The Clippers scored on a wild pitch with Martínez coming home from third base. After six innings, it was 6-4, Saints.

Columbus scored a run in the seventh inning to pull within one when Juan Brito singled to drive in Christian Cairo who had walked and stolen second. The Saints took a two-run lead in the top of the eighth when Clippers’ reliever Andrew Misiaszek issued a bases-loaded walk. Going to the bottom of the eighth, St. Paul led 7-5.

With runners at first and second and two outs, Raynel Delgado hit his ninth home run of the season to put the Clippers ahead for good. Nic Enright came on in relief in the top of the ninth and shut the Saints down to earn his second save of the season. Enright has not allowed a run in his 14.1 innings of work over 13 games for Columbus.

Misiaszek (4-1) picked up the win, while the loss was charged to St. Paul reliever Nick Wittgren (1-2). With the victory, the Clippers remain two and a half games ahead of Worcester and three games ahead of Indianapolis with nine games to play. Both the Red Sox and the Red Wings have won five straight.

Columbus and St. Paul do battle again Friday with a game beginning at 7:05 p.m. Doug Nikhazy (5-3) will take the hill for the Clippers, while Aaron Rozek (1-5) will start for the Saints.