Walk-Off Homer Lifts Omaha Past Indy, 2-1

PAPILLION, Neb. – With two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, Nate Eaton lifted a walk-off solo home run over the left field wall to hand the Indianapolis Indians a 2-1, series-opening loss against the Omaha Storm Chasers on Tuesday night.

In the seventh inning, Vinnie Pasquantino tied the game with a solo home run off Austin Brice (L, 1-2) for the Storm Chasers’ (25-23) third hit of the night. Half of Omaha’s four hits game via the long ball, with Eaton’s walk-off shot ending the contest.

The Indians (24-24) scored first for the seventh consecutive game when Travis Swaggerty drew a bases-loaded walk in the second inning. He reached base safely in four of five plate appearances with two of Indy’s six hits on the night.

Omaha was held scoreless through the first six innings of the ballgame. Indy’s starting pitcher Jerad Eickhoff held the Storm Chasers to one hit in 5.0 scoreless innings of work. Eickhoff and Cam Vieaux combined to retired 13 consecutive batters until Pasquantino’s game-tying dinger.

Zach Willeman (W, 1-0) did not allow a hit in two scoreless innings and fanned four during his Triple-A debut.

The Indians and Omaha will face off on Wednesday night at Werner Park with first pitch slated for 8:05 PM ET. RHP Osvaldo Bido (0-3, 4.72) will take the mound against RHP Kris Bubic (0-2, 6.59).