Ortiz's Walk-Off Homer Sinks Indy Comeback Bid

ALLENTOWN, PA. - Former Indianapolis Indians outfielder Danny Ortiz connected for a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Tribe's comeback bid was spoiled by the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Thursday night, 6-5. The Indians had erased a 3-1 deficit in the eighth and were two outs away from the win.

The bottom of the ninth had an ominous start, as J.P. Crawford reached base when he was hit by a pitch. Jesus Liranzo then struck out pinch-hitter Mitch Walding but could not retire Ortiz. His walk-off blast sailed a bit over the glove of left fielder Pablo Reyes who tried to make a game-saving catch. 
Trevor Plouffe's solo homer in the bottom of the eighth helped setup the rally that ended the game. He and Ortiz were the only two Lehigh Valley (74-49) batters to drive in more than one run in the game.
Indianapolis (66-57) mounted a comeback bid when they trailed 3-1 in the top of the eighth. Max Moroff led off with a walk and then scored when José Osuna doubled to left-center field. After another free pass, Kevin Kramer doubled into the left-field corner to score Osuna and Ryan Lavarnway. It put the Tribe on top briefly, 5-3.
Brandon Waddell started for Indy and allowed a run in each of his first three innings, but he settled down and retired the final 10 batters he faced on the way to a quality start. Liranzo (2-2) was handed the loss.
The Tribe will look to level the series Friday night on the road, first pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. The Indians return to Victory Field on Tuesday, August 21. To purchase tickets for any Indians home game, contact the Victory Field Box Office at 317-269-2282 or [email protected]. For more on the Tribe, visit IndyIndians.com.