Padlo Homers in Indianapolis Debut, Indians Split Doubleheader

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Indianapolis Indians split a doubleheader with the Memphis Redbirds on Thursday night at AutoZone Park, taking Game 1, 8-7, and falling in the nightcap, 7-0.

After a 20-minute delay ahead of the opener, the Indians (52-54) wasted no time jumping on major league rehabber Jack Flaherty (L, 0-2) with a three-run home run down the left field line from third baseman Kevin Padlo, who was making his Indians debut after being claimed off waivers by the Pirates from Seattle on Sunday. The 26-year-old Padlo finished a triple shy of the cycle in his first game with Indianapolis, going 3-3 with two runs scored and four runs driven in.

The Indians added one run in both the second and third before pouring on three more runs in the top of the fourth in support of right-hander Roansy Contreras (W, 1-1). Contreras, in his fourth start back with Indianapolis after being optioned in early July, threw 5.0 innings and struck out six while walking just one Redbird hitter.

Trailing 8-1 going into the bottom of the fifth inning in the first game, the Redbirds plated two in the fifth and struck for four runs in the seventh and final inning before pinch hitter Alec Burleson lined out to center fielder Jack Suwinski with the tying run at third base to end the game against Indians reliever Eric Hanhold (S, 6).

The Indians and Redbirds combined for 27 hits in the high-scoring affair, with Indianapolis supplying 14 of them. Seven of the nine Indians hitters reached base multiple times in Game 1, including center fielder Jack Suwinski reaching three times, and Padlo and catcher Jamie Ritchie reaching four times.

In Game 2, it was Memphis (57-50) that struck first for a pair of first-inning runs against Indians starter Osvaldo Bido (L, 1-7) when first baseman Luken Baker ripped a two-run double to the opposite field. An RBI double for right fielder Clint Coulter extended Memphis’ lead to 3-0 in the third, and after two more crossed in the fifth, designated hitter Moises Gomez and Burleson hit back-to-back home runs to finish the scoring in the sixth.

Redbirds’ left-hander Connor Thomas (W, 6-5) didn’t need much run support, throwing a 7.0-inning complete-game shutout with nine strikeouts and just one walk. It was just the fourth complete-game shutout in the International League this season.

The Indians and Redbirds move into the back half of their six-game series on Friday night at 8:05 PM ET at AutoZone Park. RHP Johan Oviedo (4-2, 5.47) will make his first start for the Indians against his former team after he was traded from the Cardinals to the Pirates at last week’s trade deadline. Memphis has yet to announce a starting pitcher.