The Toledo Mud Hens defeated the Columbus Clippers in International League play Friday night 7-3.

The Mud Hens started their scoring early with 3 runs in the first inning off Clippers starter, Jerad Eickhoff. LF Justyn-Henry Malloy hit a solo shot, while 3B Colt Keith smacked a 2-run homer to give Toledo a 3-0 lead after just a half inning of play.

The Clippers would score one run in both the 1st and 2nd innings as SS Daniel Schneemann homered in the first, and 2B Raynel Delgado scored in the 2nd inning after DH Marcos Gonzalez hit a single.

The Mud Hens in the 4th inning would extend the lead to 5-2, when DH Andrew Knapp homered of Eickhoff.

In the 7th, the Mud Hens added a pair of runs while the Clippers tacked on one more.

Former Guardians players combined to go 0-12 as Brayan Rocchio, Oscar Gonzalez, and George Valera (if you count him as a Guardians for being on the 40-man roster) couldn’t find a hit on Friday night.

A former Guardian had success though, as relief pitcher James Karinchak struck out the side in the 9th and walked one batter.

The Clippers host the Mud Hens again tomorrow at 5:05pm.

-Ed in Columbus

@Ed_In_Columbus for the We Like Sportz Show, part of the Sideline Sports Network.