TOLEDO, OHIO -Jordan Luplow hit a three-run homer in the first inning and a two-run shot in the third, but it wasn't enough for Indianapolis as Toledo avoided a sweep with a 7-5 win over the Indians Wednesday afternoon at Fifth Third Field. The multi-homer game was the fourth of
TOLEDO, OHIO -Jordan Luplow hit a three-run homer in the first inning and a two-run shot in the third, but it wasn't enough for Indianapolis as Toledo avoided a sweep with a 7-5 win over the Indians Wednesday afternoon at Fifth Third Field. The multi-homer game was the fourth of Luplow's career.
Toledo (16-8) overcame 3-0 and 5-4 deficits in the finale, the final rally backed by three doubles in the seventh. Jason Krizan opened the frame with a two-bagger off Tyler Jones (L, 2-1) and later scored on a two-out double by Chad Huffman down the left field line. Jim Adduci then poked the ensuing pitch into shallow left for another double, providing the final margin.
Luplow represented the go-ahead run for Indianapolis (12-11) in the ninth, but Kevin Comer (S, 1) retired the 24-year-old on a flyout to right to end the game.
Seeking its first three-game winning streak of the season, Indy jumped ahead 3-0 against southpaw Ryan Carpenter on Luplow's first long ball. Christopher Bostick doubled and Kevin Kramer reached on a bunt single prior to the blast.
Mikie Mahtook clubbed his first home run of the season to start the home half of the first, and the Mud Hens pulled even on an Adduci two-run dinger in the second. Toledo grabbed its first lead of the series later in the frame on a Krizan two-out, run-scoring single.
Toledo's lead didn't last long, however, as Luplow's second homer of the game followed a Kramer leadoff walk in the third to put Indy back in front, 5-4.
The Hens leveled the score at 5-5 in the fifth on a Huffman fielder's choice that plated Dawel Lugo.
Tribe starter Austin Coley didn't factor into the decision after yielding five earned runs on eight hits in five innings pitched. He walked one and struck out four. Paul Voelker (W, 1-2) - who was handed the loss in the series opener - tossed 1.2 scoreless innings in relief to earn the win.
Luplow's five RBI set a new career high, and he became the first Tribe player with a multi-homer performance and five RBI in a game since Gift Ngoepe accomplished the feat on Aug. 15, 2017 at Buffalo.
The Indians return to Victory Field on Thursday, May 3, opening a four-game home series against the Gwinnett Stripers. First pitch for the series opener is set for 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Casey Sadler (0-2, 8.31) will start for the Tribe, opposite Stripers southpaw Kolby Allard (1-1, 2.57).
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.
