Struggles continue as Clippers strand 14
One month into the season, perhaps the biggest mystery in the International League is what is happening with the Clippers, who are expected to contend for a fourth straight West Division championship.
It again was the Huntington Park version of Bill Murray’s “Groundhog Day” on Sunday when Columbus fell behind early and left a small army of runners on base in losing 5-4 to the Indianapolis Indians.
As the players packed their bags for a seven-day trip through Durham and Gwinnett, left fielder Richie Shaffer suggested that those outside the clubhouse should take a deep breath, relax and repeat.
Six seasons in professional baseball have taught Shaffer that championships rarely are won before Memorial Day. The team has lost 11 of its past 15 games.
“Baseball is a weird game that way,” Shaffer said of streaks. “We have a very talented roster, and everyone
on the roster has shown flashes. The question is can we do it at the same time? I think when everyone gets more comfortable and in synch we can get on our way.
“We have to catch a break here and there — get a bleeder and score a run.”
Shaffer pointed out that the roster has been in flux with pitchers Chris Narveson and Perci Garner and outfielder Tyler Naquin being on the disabled list.
“Guys are rotating in and out all over the place,” he said. “We get more stable and the dominoes will start falling for us. The name of the game is consistency. It’s still a young season.”
Columbus cut the deficit to 5- 4 with two out in the ninth when Giovanny Urshela reached on an infield single off the foot of pitcher Dovydas Neverauskas and Shaffer followed with a home run off the wall in right- center.
But the Clippers stranded their 13th and 14th runners of the game when Nellie Rodriguez struck out on a checked swing to end the game after Ronny Rodriguez walked and Adam Moore singled.
The Clippers ( 1117) are 1-10 when the opponent scores first and 0- 15 when trailing after six innings.
Going into the game, only Toledo and Syracuse had scored fewer runs than Columbus in the IL; only Durham, Pawtucket and Louisville had hit into more double plays and only Charlotte had allowed more home runs.
Manager Chris Tremie thought the ninth could provide a spark for the future.
“It’s good to see life in the ninth inning with two outs and continuing to battle,” he said. “It’s good to see eagerness and effective at- bats. They’re playing hard and they are playing good defense. It’s about staying even keel the entire season. You keep plugging away and things will change.”