Valdez’s Three-Run Homer Lifts Indians Over Clippers

INDIANAPOLIS – Enmanuel Valdez hit a go-ahead three-run home run in the sixth inning and Duce Gourson finished a home run shy of the cycle as the Indianapolis Indians defeated the Columbus Clippers, 8-5, on Tuesday night at Victory Field.

With the Indians (32-20, 63-64) trailing, 4-3, a two-out rally turned the tide to give the club the lead. Duce Gourson and Ronny Simon recorded back-to-back singles and then Valdez launched his 16th homer of the campaign for a 6-4 advantage.

Columbus (25-25, 66-58) put a pair of runs on the board in the top of the first inning in the first three batters. Cooper Ingle walked and then Daniel Schneemann and Ralphy Velazquez hit consecutive two-baggers. Indy answered right back with two runs in the bottom half as Gourson drove home Mitch Jebb with a double and Jack Brannigan later pushed home the second tally with an RBI groundout.

The Clippers regained the lead with two scores in the third inning on another pair of consecutive doubles from Kyle Manzardo and George Valera. The Indians loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth but only managed to scrape across one run on a two-out error by Manzardo at first base. Valdez then gave Indy the lead for good with his long ball in the sixth. Columbus added a run in the eighth to cut the deficit to one, but Indy responded with two of their own in the frame for an 8-5 final.

Thomas Harrington started for the Indians and allowed four runs, striking out seven batters in his 4.0 innings. Isaac Mattson (W, 3-0) then entered and retired all nine batters he faced with three strikeouts. Evan Sisk allowed an unearned run in the eighth inning and Beau Burrows (S, 12) recorded the final three outs. Hunter Stanley (L, 2-2) allowed the homer to Valdez.

Indianapolis and Columbus continue this week’s six-game series on Wednesday afternoon at 1:35 PM ET. RHP Noah Davis (2-10, 5.38) is scheduled to start for the Indians with RHP Yorman Gómez (1-4, 6.91) set to take the hill for the Clippers.