Worth the Wait: Indians Walk Off Bats in Opener

Indy wins third straight following lengthy rain delay

Joey Terdoslavich went 3-for-3 against the Louisville Bats recording three RBIs and one stolen base. (Photo by Adam Pintar)

By Cheyne Reiter

July 1, 2017

INDIANAPOLIS - Following a 1-hour, 52-minute rain delay and first pitch that began on June 30, Indianapolis won in walk-off fashion in the early morning hours of July 1 with a 6-5 thriller over the Louisville Bats. Phil Gosselin provided the heroics by lining a 1-2 pitch into center field

INDIANAPOLIS - Following a 1-hour, 52-minute rain delay and first pitch that began on June 30, Indianapolis won in walk-off fashion in the early morning hours of July 1 with a 6-5 thriller over the Louisville Bats. Phil Gosselin provided the heroics by lining a 1-2 pitch into center field for a run-scoring single and Indy's third walk-off win of the season.

Louisville (32-48) rallied for four runs over the final three innings, including two off Indians closer Dovydas Neverauskas in the ninth, but Gosselin's third knock of the game staved off extras while sending Indianapolis (45-35) 10 games over .500.
After heavy thunderstorms rolled through the Circle City, Indianapolis looked fresh in the first, plating three runs off Bats southpaw Cody Reed. A wild pitch with the bases loaded allowed Christopher Bostick to race home for the game's first run, and Gosselin and Joey Terdoslavich added RBI singles later in the inning to make it 3-0.
The Bats scored their first of two runs off Tribe All-Star Drew Hutchison in the second, but Terdoslavich ripped an RBI double in the third that pushed Indy's advantage back to three at 4-1.
The Tribe tacked on another run in the sixth, thanks to their Gosselin-Terdoslavich duo. Gosselin reached on a two-base error and scored on a ringing two-bagger by the Indians first baseman to deep center.
Zach Vincej recorded a two-out RBI double in the seventh that knocked Hutchison out of the game. The Indians hurler allowed two runs on seven hits over 6.2 innings in a no-decision.
Neverauskas (1-2) was credited with the win despite blowing his fifth save in 13 tries. Alejandro Chacin (0-3) took the loss after surrendering an infield single, walk and hit batter before Gosselin's final blow.
The Indians and Bats continue their four-game weekend series Saturday night at Victory Field. Indianapolis will send right-hander Tyler Glasnow (1-0, 1.50) to the mound, opposite Bats righty Tyler Mahle (0-1, 0.00). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.