The Columbus Clippers are battling for a playoff spot and every game is vital coming down the stretch. On Friday at Huntington Park, the rainy weather and a rough first inning against the Durham Bulls made the evening’s prospects bleak, but the Clippers rallied to win 10-7 and brighten the chances to play in the postseason.

The first pitch Friday was delayed as storms rolled through Central Ohio. When play did begin, the Bulls took an early lead with four runs in the first inning. Columbus starter Triston McKenzie gave up the runs on a single, two doubles, and a home run. He would then right the ship and throw four shutout innings.

The Clippers responded with a a single run in the first, on a Johnathan Rodriguez sacrifice fly, and five runs in the third, including a three-run homer from Rodriguez and a solo shot from Gabriel Arias. For Rodriguez, it was his team-leading 24th long ball of the season. For Arias, it was number six in 2024.

The Clippers added two runs in the fifth, on Juan Brito’s 20th home run of the season, and another in the sixth when Myles Straw’s ground ball out knocked in Arias. Columbus posted its final run in the eighth when Angel Martínez doubled to drive in Bryan Lavastida who had singled earlier in the frame.

Durham scored three in the seventh inning, but Columbus relievers Anthony Gose and Peter Strzelecki locked things down after that and the Clippers cam away with a 10-7 victory. McKenzie (4-7) earned the win and Strzelecki picked up his ninth save. Durham reliever Joe Rock (6-7) was charged with loss. 

With the victory, Columbus is now five games ahead of Indianapolis in the International League’s Western Division for the second half of the season. If they hold on, they will travel to Omaha, the first half winner of the Western Division, for a best-of-three series. That winner will face the winner of the Pacific Coast League in a single game matchup on Sept. 28 in Las Vegas for the Triple-A National Championship.

The Clippers and Bulls will be back at it Saturday at Huntington Park with better weather predicted. Doug Nikhazy (5-3) will take the hill for Columbus, Jacob for the Durham (4-7).