Indy’s Late-Inning Comeback Falls Short in Lidlifter Loss
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Malcom Nuñez roped an RBI single with the bases loaded in the top of the ninth inning to bring the Indianapolis Indians within one run of the Columbus Clippers, but they could not complete the comeback and dropped the series opener at Huntington Park on Tuesday night,
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Malcom Nuñez roped an RBI single with the bases loaded in the top of the ninth inning to bring the Indianapolis Indians within one run of the Columbus Clippers, but they could not complete the comeback and dropped the series opener at Huntington Park on Tuesday night, 6-5.
Trailing by two runs in the ninth, three consecutive walks loaded the bases with one out for Indianapolis (21-24). Nuñez drove in Endy Rodríguez with his line-drive single, but the tying run in Cal Mitchell was held late at third base. Touki Toussaint (S, 3) sat down the next two batters to end the threat.
The Indians got on the board first in the second inning, also with two outs, when Aaron Shackelford doubled home Nuñez from first base. In the third, Canaan Smith-Njigba launched his third Triple-A home run of the season 424 feet out of Huntington Park to extend Indy’s lead to 2-0.
The Clippers (23-22) plated four runs in the bottom of the fifth against Indians starter Osvaldo Bido to take their first lead of the night. Following a leadoff single and subsequent walk, Naylor scored two with a double before Gonzalez launched a two-run homer to right field.
With two outs and the bases juiced via two walks and a hit-by-pitch in the sixth inning, Nick Gonzales lined a two-run single to left field to tie the game. Columbus then retook the lead in the bottom half against Chase De Jong (L, 0-1) via a ground-ball single by Bo Naylor and sacrifice fly by Oscar Gonzalez.
Both of the Indians’ comeback efforts were sparked by walks, with the team drawing nine total in the contest. Tim Herrin (W, 3-1) was the lone Clippers hurler not to surrender a walk, with just one hit allowed and two strikeouts in 1.1 innings.
Rodríguez roped two doubles in the contest, joining Nuñez with a team-leading two hits.
The International League West foes will face off again tomorrow night at 7:05 PM ET at Huntington Park. Taking the hill for Indy will be LHP Kent Emanuel (2-1, 7.54) against LHP Daniel Norris (1-2, 5.25).