Indians String Together Ninth-Inning Comeback Walk-Off Win

INDIANAPOLIS – Billy Cook provided the late-game heroics to seal the Indianapolis Indians’ fifth walk-off win of the season, 3-2, taking a 2-1 series advantage over the Iowa Cubs on Thursday night at Victory Field.

With the game tied, 2-2, with two outs in the ninth inning, Dominic Fletcher gave the Indians (23-13, 54-57) hope, launching a ball all the way to the center field wall as he rolled into third base with a triple. Iowa (14-22, 44-64) intentionally walked Mitch Jebb, who then jogged to second base on defensive indifference. On a 1-0 count, Billy Cook swung and lifted a ball to right field. I-Cubs’ Jordan Nwogu came charging in, but his diving attempt was not enough as the ball bounced in front of him and into the outfield.

In the second inning, Nwogu put Iowa ahead, 1-0, with a sac fly to center field, collecting the first Triple-A RBI of his career.

The Indians were silent until the bottom of the seventh inning. I-Cubs righty Andrew Wantz loaded the bases on two singles and a hit-by-pitch. Another hit-by-pitch from Wantz forced in the game-tying run, and Cook drew a bases-loaded walk on four pitches to give Indianapolis the lead, 2-1.

But Owen Miller quickly knotted the game up once again, 2-2, as he shot a ground ball past a diving Duce Gourson and into right field, scoring Hayden Cantrelle in the eighth inning.

Iowa came close to snatching the lead in the ninth, but an outfield assist by Tyler Callihan from right field ended the inning. Ben Cowles hit a two-out single to Callihan, who cut down the runner at home to end the inning and keep the contest tied, setting the stage for Indy’s walk-off victory.

Isaac Mattson (W, 2-0) threw the final 1.1 scoreless frames to earn the win. Gabe Klobosits (L, 0-2) took the loss after giving up the game-winning run.

Game 4 of the Indians’ homestand will be at 7:05 PM ET. RHP Grant Kipp (1-0, 6.00) will take the mound for the I-Cubs, while Indianapolis’ starter is TBD.