Davenport leads Clippers to win in Toledo
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
By Kevin Rouch
krouch@cbussports.com
Columbus Clippers starter Aaron Davenport did not allow a hit in his six innings of work at Toledo Wednesday and the Clips went on to win, 2-0. Photos: Kevin Rouch
In Aaron Davenport’s previous nine starts for the Columbus Clippers, after being called up from Akron at the end of May, he had yet to hold the opposition scoreless. That changed Wednesday at Toledo, where he not only kept the Mud Hens off the board in his six innings of work, he did not allow a hit. Columbus went on to win 2-0.
The 25-year-old right hander issued four walks while striking out eight. Davenport (3-4) got stronger as he went on, retiring the last 10 batters he faced. A native of Duvall, Wash., he spent three seasons at the University of Hawaii before being drafted in the sixth round by the then Cleveland Indians in 2021.
Travis Bazzana (center), with the Columbus Clippers’ first base coach Chase Barbary and the team’s batboy, after his first Triple-A hit, which drove in his first run as well.
The Clippers got on the board in the third inning. Christian Cairo led off the frame with his third triple of the season. After two Columbus strikouts, Travis Bassana, in his second game with the Clippers, hit a line shot up the middle that deflected off Toledo pitcher Carlos Peña into foul territory wide of first base for his first Triple-A hit and RBI.
The second and final Columbus run came in the top of the eighth. With two outs, George Valera singled, then Kahlil Watson doubled to bring Valera home. Watson, who was called up from Akron on July 22, has knocked in runs in six of his last seven games with the Clippers. Columbus catcher Cooper Ingle also recorded two hits in his first game with the Clippers.
Christian Cairo dives into third base ahead of the throw for a triple to lead off the third inning for the Columbus Clippers.
After Davenport’s six-inning stint, Tim Herrin tossed a shutout inning, although he did allow the one Toledo hit of the night, a single that got found its way through the infield off the bat of Trei Cruz. Parker Mushinski then retired all six Mud Hens’ batters he faced, three via strikeout, to earn his sixth save of the season.
Game three of the series is set for Thursday at 6:35 p.m. Parker Messick (5-5, 3.30) will take the mound for Columbus, while Keider Montero (3-4, 6.27) gets the start for the Mud Hens. Fans can listen to the game on Fox Sports 920AM with Ryan Mitchell on the call from Fifth Third Field.
Columbus pitcher Aaron Davenport throws over to first baseman Jhonkensy Noel in an attempt to pick off Toledo runner Akil Baddoo.