Indians’ Ninth Inning Comeback Falls Short in Extra Innings

TOLEDO, Ohio. – After the Toledo Mud Hens took a 5-4 lead late in the eighth, Jack Suwinski launched a two-out long ball on the payoff pitch to send the game to extra innings, but the Indianapolis Indians ultimately fell on Saturday night, 6-5.

After tallying a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth courtesy of a lead-off home run from Josh Lester and a two-out RBI single from Derek Hill, the Toledo Mud Hens (49-47) overcame a two-run deficit in the bottom of the eighth frame to take their first lead, 5-4.

Down by one with two outs on a 3-2 count, Jack Suwinski smoked a home run over the left field wall to tie the game for the Indianapolis Indians (45-50) and send the game to extras.

Following a scoreless top half of the tenth frame for the Indians, a lead-off sac bunt from Hill sent Jamie Westbrook to third. A two-out RBI single off the bat of Daz Cameron sealed the victory for the Mud Hens.

Jack Suwinski was stellar in the defeat, going 3-5 with 2 RBI and just a triple shy of the cycle.

Mike Burrows started the night on the hill for the Indians, tossing 4.0 scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and fanning two batters. Eric Hanhold (L, 2-2) yielded three hits and the game’s winning run in 1.2 innings on the mound.

Toledo’s starter Chi Chi Gonzalez gave up one run with five strikeouts in 4.0 innings of work. Drew Carlton (W, 2-2) struck out two of the three batters he faced in 1.0 inning.

The series finale between Indianapolis and Toledo at Fifth Third Field is set for tomorrow at 2:05 PM. RHP Roansy Contreras (0-1, 2.82) will take the mound for the Indians against Mud Hens RHP Beau Brieske (0-1, 4.50).