ALLENTOWN – After Sunday night's game, Lehigh Valley starter Brian Bass predicted the offense was about to explode.
Although they came up short with runs, his prophecy came true. The IronPigs belted out 13 hits in support of a solid effort by starter Nate Bump to lead Lehigh Valley to a 4-1 win over the Columbus Clippers.
Bump, who entered the game with an uncharacteristic 5.88 ERA, had his sinker and his cutter working to perfection.
"I've been told that is vintage Nate Bump," manager Ryne Sandberg said. "His cutter was moving a foot to two feet and mixing them up by running the ball in the other direction. It was a guessing game on which way the ball would dart."
The right-handed Bump (3-6), winning his first game since May 11 at Toledo, pitched seven innings and surrendered just three hits and walked one. Bump, who spent the better part of June on the disabled list (hamstring), started to feel his 'stuff' come back to him in his last start in Pawtucket.
"I feel good now and I feel like I am where I need to be finally," Bump said.
"It's right on time to have him throw a game like that and hopefully that can carry on for the rest of the season. That was outstanding," said Sandberg.
Toledo's only run came on a Beau Mills solo homer off lefty reliever Mike Zagurski in the eighth inning. Justin De Fratus pitched a scoreless ninth for his second save of the year.
After dropping the opener Friday night, Lehigh Valley has now won three straight to take the Columbu