Clippers Walk-Off Against Indians

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Aaron Shackelford blasted two mammoth home runs out of Huntington Park, but the Columbus Clippers rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth to defeat the Indianapolis Indians in walk-off fashion on Thursday night, 5-4.

The Clippers (24-23) were down to their final out with the bases juiced, down 4-3. On the 0-1 pitch, Oscar Gonzalez roped a two-run single to into straight-away right field to walk it off against the Indians. The rally began with a Chris Roller leadoff single. Richie Palacios then reached on a fielder’s choice throwing error by Yerry De Los Santos (L, 0-4), and Bo Naylor walked to load the bases before Gonzalez’s game-ending knock.

Each team’s first run of the night came way of solo home runs. Designated hitter Zack Collins homered first, and Shackelford followed in the Indians (22-25) following at-bat. Both teams brought home a additional run in their next plate appearance following the homers to square the contest at two apiece after four.

Shackelford put the Indians in front in a big way in the fifth, crushing a two-run homer well over the right-field wall, his second home run of the game off major league rehabber Triston McKenzie. Shackelford finished his night 2-for-2 with a pair of homers, two runs scored, three RBI and a walk.

Columbus was able to cut its deficit in half in the sixth inning. With runners on second and third, Micah Pries hit a sacrifice fly to plate Gonzales and chip away before they completed the comeback in the ninth inning.

Clipper’s reliever Tim Herrin (W, 4-1) picked up his fourth win of the season with 1.2 no-hit innings.

Indianapolis will continue their six-game set at Huntington Park with the Clippers on Friday night at 7:05 PM ET. The Clippers will start right-hander Zach Plesac (1-1, 4.02), the Indians have yet to name a starter.