The afternoon at Huntington Park Thursday started with some promising Arena District cooperation as the Columbus Blue Jackets’ top draft pick, Cayden Lindstrom, threw out the first pitch. 

The Clippers were coming off a series win at Toledo over the previous three days. The Mud Hens made the trip to Columbus for three more. Thursday’s game began well for Toledo when Dillon Dingler singled in a run with two outs in the top of the first inning.

Neither team dented the scoreboard until Clippers’ catcher Bryan Lavastida hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the sixth. It was his sixth of the season and came off Toledo starter Ty Madden.

Columbus maintained the 3-1 lead going into the ninth inning. Reliever Mason Hickman was called upon to earn the save. The first three batters loaded the bases on a double, single, and hit batter.

Hickman battled back to strike out the next two batters. Down to their last out, Toledo’s Ryan Vilade came to the plate. Vilade sent a ball over the wall for a grand slam and a 5-3 lead. Devin Sweet came in from the Toledo bullpen in the bottom of the inning and retired the Clippers in order for his third save of the season.

Andrew Vasquez (4-2) retired just one batter in the eighth inning but it was enough for him to garner the win. Hickman (1-4) was charged with a blown save and the loss.

Thursday’s game saw the return of shortstop José Tena to the Clippers from a stint with the Cleveland Guardians that began June 27th. Angel Martínez was recalled by the Guardians to take his place.

The Clippers and Mud Hens play again Friday and Saturday. Friday’s game gets underway at 7:05 p.m., with the first pitch Saturday set for 5:05 p.m.