The Omaha Storm Chasers scored five runs in the first two innings of their series opener in Columbus Tuesday, but the Clippers responded with nine runs of their own. Omaha got to within a run, but the Clips held on for a 9-8 win. Here are our three takeaways from Tuesday’s tilt:

1.    The Clippers relief corps has been effective lately, but Tuesday’s effort was one to put behind them and move on. Reliever Daniel Espino actually started the game to get his work in and gave up two runs on a walk and a home run in the first. The “starter” Rorik Maltrud then took the mound and, uncharacteristically, gave up four runs on eight hits in the next four innings. After that, Tommy Mace and Jack Leftwich each went two innings and gave up a run on two hits.

2.   Juan Brito continues to have a positive impact after returning to the Clippers from Cleveland. On Tuesday, he had three hits and a walk in five plate appearances and drove in a run and scored one. With Cooper Ingle performing well in the lead-off spot, Brito is a natural number two hitter in the lineup. His ability to put the ball in play – he was the only Clipper not to strike out in the series opener – is a definite plus in that spot.

3.   Bo Naylor had another good night at the plate for Columbus. He was 1-for-2, with that hit being his first home run for the Clippers, and he walked three times. He is now hitting .350 after six games with Columbus and has driven in seven runs. He was in the DH spot Tuesday to allow Cooper Ingle to get back behind the plate.