In each of his last six starts Louisville Bats pitcher Dylan Axelrod had lasted at least six innings on the mound.
The Columbus Clippers made sure that streak didn’t reach seven.
The host Clippers pounded out eight of their 15 hits against Axelrod, whom they chased after 5 and 2/3 innings, on their way to an 11-1 win over Louisville in the first game of a four-game series Thursday night.
Five players had at least five hits for Columbus (7-7), which tallied two runs in the second, one in the fourth, three in the sixth and five in the eighth.
The Bats (6-7) plated their only run in the fifth frame.
Axelrod retired the first four hitters he faced before Clippers designated hitter James Ramsey hit a solo home run - the first of Columbus’ seven extra-base hits - with one out in the bottom of the second. Axelrod then walked Carlos Moncrief with two outs before giving up an RBI-double to Adam Moore. Moore, Columbus’ No. 8 hitter, went 3-for-3 with two runs batted in and two runs scored to lead the Clippers at the plate.
Columbus added to its lead two innings later on Moncrief’s RBI-single.
The Bats scored their only run in the next inning thanks to back-to-back doubles by Eugenio Suarez and Ivan De Jesus Jr. against Clippers starter Shaun Marcum.
In the bottom the sixth Axelrod allowed a one-out, solo homer to Giovanny Urshela, then struck out Moncrief before being replaced by Sam LeCure moments later. Axelrod (1-1) allowed four earned runs on eight hits while walking one and striking out seven in his 5 and 2/3 innings.
LeCure walked Moore, the first batter he faced, before giving up a single to Ryan Rohlinger a an RBI-double to Francisco Lindor.
The Clippers tagged Chris Carpenter for five runs in the bottom of the eighth.
Marcum (2-0) shut down the Bats’ bats. He gave up the one earned run on five hits while walking one and striking out six in seven innings.
The same teams will meet at 7:15 p.m. Friday night. Right-hander Michael Lorenzen (2-0, 0.69 ERA) will face off against fellow righty Toru Murata.
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