Derek Berg’s Sixth Inning Homer Lifts Indians to Fourth Straight Win
Indianapolis Indians catcher Derek Berg hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning that helped the Indians earn a 6-5 win against the Columbus Clippers on Thursday night. Indy found itself down 3-0 in the second inning, but rallied for its fourth straight win to
Indianapolis Indians catcher Derek Berg hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning that helped the Indians earn a 6-5 win against the Columbus Clippers on Thursday night. Indy found itself down 3-0 in the second inning, but rallied for its fourth straight win to maintain first place in the International League’s second half standings.
Indians (34-20, 65-64) infielder Tyler Callihan homered in the bottom of the second to begin the comeback effort for his seventh home run of the season to cut into the Columbus lead to 3-1. Callihan finished the night 2-for-4 with two RBI. In the bottom of the third inning, Indians outfielder Ronny Simon doubled on a line drive to centerfield to score both Berg and Duce Gourson to tie the game up, 3-3. Simon went 3-for-4 at the dish with two RBI as well.
A triple from Columbus (25-27, 66-60) infielder Dayan Frias in the top of the fourth inning scored Alfonsin Rosario to put Columbus back in front, 4-3. Columbus added one more in the top of the fourth on a Ralphy Velazquez fly ball to shallow left center and scored Frias form third after it fell in front of Mitch Jebb’s diving attempt to give the Clippers a 5-3 lead.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Callihan scored Jebb on a single lined up the middle to centerfield to cut the deficit to 5-4, before Berg’s blast put Indy back in front for the rest of the game.
Indians starting pitcher Hunter Barco went 3.0 innings with five strikeouts and only gave up one earned run with two walked batters. Wilber Dotel (W, 5-3) came on in relief for 3.0 innings before turning the ball over to Cy Nielson for two innings and CD Pelham (S, 1), who struck out Milan Tolentino with the bases loaded to end the game.
Clippers’ starter Ben Lively went 4.2 innings with two strikeouts, while Jack Jasiak (L, 0-1) came in for 2.0 innings and allowed three hits and two earned runs.
With Thrusday night’s win, Indianapolis moved to over .500 for the first time this season.
The six-game series between Indianapolis and Columbus continues on Friday at 7:05 PM ET. RHP Antwone Kelly (5-5, 4.09) is scheduled to start for the Indians and RHP Justin Campbell (0-0, 0.00) will start for Columbus tomorrow night. Friday night is Native American Heritage Night, in partnership with Miami Nation of Indians of Indiana, Scout Night and postgame fireworks!