The Columbus Clingstones (16-15, 45-50) appeared on their way to a win over the Rocket City Trash Pandas (15-16, 50-49), but a pair of three-run home runs in the ninth and tenth innings shocked the Clingstones in a 6-4 loss in 10 innings on Friday night at Synovus Park.
Decisive Plays: A two-run home run from Adam Zebrowski blasted Columbus in front in the second inning. A solo home run from Luke Waddell in the third inning made it 3-0. Brett Sears fired 7.0 scoreless innings and punched out 12 batters to keep Columbus ahead, navigating a bases-loaded jam in the sixth. With Columbus in front 3-0 in the ninth, David Calabrese hit a game-tying three-run home run to make it 3-3. Columbus had runners in scoring position but did not score in the ninth. A three-run home run from Jake Munroe in the 10th inning gave Rocket City its first lead of the night at 6-3. Columbus scored once in the 10th but could not mount a rally.
Key Contributors: Sears (7.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 12 SO) tallied a new career high in strikeouts in another quality start while Zebrowski (1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI) and Waddell (1-for-5, HR, RBI) led Columbus at the plate. For Rocket City, Munroe (3-for-4, HR, 3 RBI) and Calabrese (1-for-4, HR, 3 RBI) won the game with their three-run home runs.
Notable: The career high 12 strikeouts from Sears also tied the single-game franchise record of 12, previously set by Lucas Braun on July 8 vs. Birmingham. Columbus falls to 4-3 in extra-inning games. Columbus concluded July with a 13-11 record, tying the month of April for the most wins in one month this season.
Next Game (Saturday, August 1): Columbus vs. Rocket City, 6:05 p.m. ET at Synovus Park. RHP Anderson Pilar (0-2, 7.11 ERA) will start for Columbus opposed by RHP Ryan Costeiu (6-7, 6.16 ERA) for Rocket City. Radio Broadcast: 5:50 p.m. ET on SportsVisions 92.1 FM. Stream: Bally Sports Live.