INDIANAPOLIS - Sean Rodríguez brought home two runs on an infield single in the seventh, and the Indians held off a Mud Hens ninth-inning rally attempt to win 5-4 on Saturday night. The victory catapulted the Tribe into first place in the IL West Division for the first time in
INDIANAPOLIS - Sean Rodríguez brought home two runs on an infield single in the seventh, and the Indians held off a Mud Hens ninth-inning rally attempt to win 5-4 on Saturday night. The victory catapulted the Tribe into first place in the IL West Division for the first time in 2018.
Indianapolis (50-40) improved to 11-5 against Toledo (50-41) this season thanks to its 17th come-from-behind win. Indy's seventh-inning burst was ignited by a Jason Martin leadoff single and Kevin Newman two-out walk. Newman then swiped his league-leading 22nd stolen base, moments before Rodriguez beat out a bouncing ball up the middle to short.
On the go-ahead play, Rodriguez tumbled over Mud Hens first baseman Edwin Espinal, and Newman never broke stride from second to give the Indians their first lead of the night.
The visitors scored twice in the first off J.T. Brubaker, using a Jacob Robson leadoff two-bagger, Christin Stewart RBI single and Chad Huffman RBI double to jump in front. They added another run in the second on three singles, the last coming off the bat of Robson who collected a game-high four hits.
The Indians cut their deficit to one in the third against Tyler Alexander. Wyatt Mathisen doubled with one away, and Pablo Reyes followed with his third home run in as many games, a 397-foot line drive shot to left.
Toledo responded with a run in the fourth on a pair of two-out doubles by Harold Castro and Robson to extend their lead back to two at 4-2.
Martin and Newman tag-teamed in the fifth to make it a one-run ballgame. Martin singled, stole second and scored on a two-out double by Newman, his second of the game.
Damien Magnifico (W, 3-2) pitched two shutout frames in relief of Brubaker who surrendered four runs on eight hits over six innings. Brubaker walked one and struck out six while taking no decision.
Dovydas Neverauskas (S, 3) pitched in and out of trouble in the ninth for the save. Grayson Greiner walked to start the inning, but Mike Gerber's sacrifice bunt was nullified when he interfered with Mathisen attempting to catch the throw at first base. Mud Hens skipper Doug Mientkiewicz was ejected on the play. After allowing a single to Espinal in the ensuing at-bat, Neverauskas struck out both Castro and Robson to seal Toledo's fate.
Victor Alcántara (L, 4-2) allowed both runs in the seventh to take the loss.
The Indians have won 15 of their last 20 games at The Vic and are 29-18 at home this season.
Indy will go for the series win over Toledo tomorrow afternoon at 1:35 p.m. Right-hander Casey Sadler (5-3, 3.47) gets the nod for the Tribe, and the Mud Hens will counter with southpaw Matt Hall making his Triple-A debut.
