COLUMBUS, OH - It was "Blue Jackets Night" on Friday as the Clippers celebrated their neighbors from next door in the Arena District. Several Blue Jackets players, having just arrived in town to prepare for the 2026-27 NHL season, signed autographs for Clippers fans prior to Friday night's tilt with the Iowa Cubs.
Goaltender Jet Greaves threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Clippers first baseman Ralphy Velazquez in a memorable meeting of central Ohio sports stars.
The nearly 9,000 fans in attendance cheered on the Columbus baseball Clippers as they rolled to a 7-1 victory over the Cubs.
Right-hander Rorik Maltrud (7-1) turned in a dominant start for Columbus, allowing just one run on two hits over 6.0 innings with six strikeouts. Relievers Steven Pérez and Connor Brogdon combined to toss 3.0 perfect innings to finish off Iowa.
The Cubs scored the game's first run, but then Dayan Frias smashed a two-run homer in the bottom of the 3rd to swing the game in the Clippers' direction.
The score sat at 2-1 until the Clippers rallied in the bottom of the 7th. Tyresse Turner chose a perfect time to pick up his first career RBI at the Triple-A level, singling in a run to make it 3-1. Blake Perkins followed with a RBI single of his own to increase the lead to three.
Columbus broke things open in the 8th with a three-run rally. Alfonsin Rosario doubled in two runs, before Milan Tolentino's RBI single provided the final run in the 7-1 Clippers triumph.
The win gives Columbus a record of 72-61 for the season, while Iowa falls to 56-77.
The Clippers and Cubs continue the series on Saturday night at Huntington Park. Be there when gates open at 6pm because the first 1,000 fans to enter will receive a Clippers Chase DeLauter Bobblehead courtesy of Buckeye Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical. First pitch is 7:05pm. Then the series concludes on Signature Sunday when the Clippers and Cubs meet at 1:05pm. Kids can get autographs from two Clippers players between noon and 12:20pm at AAA Guest Services. Stick around for the postgame Fun Run around the bases (weather permitting). Get Clippers tickets with lower online fees than ever at ClippersBaseball.com.
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