Scores and Highlights from 9/8

Columbus Clippers 8, Durham Bulls 3 (International League Semi-Finals: Game Two)
The Bulls find themselves in an 0-2 hole in the first round of the playoffs following a game two loss to the Clippers. The Clippers took the lead by scoring three runs in the first inning. The Bulls battled back in the bottom of the first by scoring two runs. Dan Johnson drove home both runs with an RBI single that scored Tim Beckham and Matt Carson to pull the Bulls within a run of the lead. The Clippers pushed across a run in the second to extend their lead to two run. The game then quieted down a bit as both pitchers dueled through three straight scoreless innings before the Clippers struck for a run in the sixth and three more in the seventh inning to give them a commanding lead. The Bulls plated their third and final run of the night when Carson scored on a ground ball by Russ Canzler. The Bulls compiled ten hits on the night, but struggled to convert those runners into points on the scoreboard. Chris Archer suffered the loss despite striking out 11 hitters in 5 2/3 innings. The Bulls are now 0-2 in the best of five series and will try to avoid elimination in game three as the series now shifts to Columbus for the final three games.



Fort Wayne Tin Caps 6, Bowling Green Hot Rods 3 (Midwest League Eastern Division Semi-Finals: Game One)
The Hot Rods kicked off their first playoff run in franchise history by losing to the Tin Caps in game one. After the game was rained out Wednesday, it appeared like Mother Nature was going to have her way again. But they managed to get the field ready for play following an hour and a half delay. Fort Wayne jumped out to a two run lead in the home half of the first inning. The Hot Rods cut the lead in half by scoring in the fourth inning when Phil Wunderlich scored on an sac fly by Keith Castillo. The Tin Caps countered the run with a run of their own in the bottom of the fourth. The Tin Caps scored three more runs in the seventh to take a five run lead. The Hot Rods scored two runs in the eighth via an RBI single by Wunderlich that scored Robby Price and Derek Dietrich. But the Hot Rods couldn't get another run as they fell in the in series opener. George Jensen suffered the loss for the Hot Rods. They trail the best of three series 0-1 as the venue shifts to Bowling Green for the final two games.