Indy’s Late-Inning Spark Fades in Loss to Omaha

INDIANAPOLIS – Nick Gonzales belted his sixth home run of the season, but the Omaha Storm Chasers prevailed over the Indianapolis Indians in their series-clinching victory on Friday night at Victory Field, 5-1.

Omaha (27-32) scored in the first inning for the fourth consecutive contest this week. Indians starter Kent Emanuel (L, 4-2) loaded the bases before fanning Johan Camargo for the first out. First basemen Logan Porter lined a two-run single for the game’s first runs and Jakson Reetz later followed with an RBI double.

Facing an early 3-0 deficit, leadoff hitter Nick Gonzales lifted an opposite field home run on the second pitch of the game, delivered by Omaha starter Max Castillo (W, 1-6). Gonzales’ blast extended his on-base streak to 10 games.

The Storm Chasers padded their lead with two runs in the fourth and another in the eighth. Left fielder Brewer Hicklen ripped an opposite field two-run homer in the fourth and shortstop Johan Camargo plated a run with an RBI groundout.

In the bottom of the eighth, Endy Rodríguez singled and Miguel Andújar doubled before Cal Mitchell drive in Rodríguez for Indy’s final run of the contest. With the knocks, Rodríguez extended his hitting streak to nine games, Andújar extended his respective streak to 14 games.

The Indians and Storm Chasers continue their series on Saturday at 7:05 PM ET at Victory Field. Left-hander Anthony Veneziano (1-0, 6.92) will take the mound for Omaha. Indy has yet to name a starter.