COLUMBUS – Bryan Lavastida’s RBI double to right field keyed an eight-run fifth inning for the Clippers, who went on to beat the St. Paul Saints, 15-7, in the opening game of a six-game series at Huntington Park Tuesday night.
Brayan Rocchio drove in three runs for Columbus, two of them on a ground-rule double later in the fifth inning, and Jhonkensy Noel scored three runs for Columbus.
Zach Plesac (3-4) gave up two home runs in the first two innings but settled down to allow only one hit in the next four innings.
The Saints scored five runs in the ninth inning.