COLUMBUS -- The Mud Hens claimed their 10th victory in 11 games by beating Columbus 6-5 at Huntington Park Wednesday.

Brad Eldred extended his season-opening hit streak to 20 games with a home run and three teammates -- Argenis Diaz, Ryan Strieby, and Danny Worth -- each had two hits to fuel the Hens' 12-hit attack.

The Mud Hens scored in the opening inning when Quintin Berry was hit by a pitch from Columbus starter David Huff, took second on a single by Strieby, and scored on a double by Worth.

Columbus tied the game in the bottom of the first off Toledo starter Casey Crosby when Lonnie Chisenhall hit a two-out double and scored on a single by Matt LaPorta.

The Clippers took a 2-1 lead in the third on three straight one-out singles by Ezequiel Carrera, Cord Phelps, and Chisenhall and a run-scoring walk to LaPorta.

Crosby got Chad Huffman to ground into an inning-ending double play, then retired nine of the next 11 hitters he faced to finish with seven hits and two earned runs allowed in six innings.

He struck out four and walked two.

Toledo scored four times in the fourth off Huff, with Eldred getting the rally started with his 13th home run of the season. Worth singled, Jerad Head was hit by a pitch, and Matt Young lined a single that scored Worth. Audy Ciriaco followed with a two-run double.

The Mud Hens added an unearned run in the seventh. With the bases loaded, Worth hit a grounder to third that saw Chisenhall throw home to retire the lead runner, but catcher Tom Pagnozzi's throw to first bounced off Worth and allowed Strieby to score from second.

In the ninth the Clippers scored twice on a two-run homer by Andy LaRoche, his first of the season, but Chris Bootcheck came on and got the final out with the potential game-tying run at the plate to secure his third save of the season.

The Mud Hens will have an off day today before beginning a 10-game homestand with the first of four contests against Gwinnett starting at 7 p.m. Friday.

First Published April 26, 2012, 5:48 a.m.