Indians Complete Late-Inning Comeback to Move Into First Place
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Indianapolis Indians scored three runs in the seventh inning and two runs in the ninth inning to rally back for a 6-5 win at the Gwinnett Stripers on Wednesday afternoon. After Tyler Callihan led off the ninth inning with a blooped single, a four-pitch walk from
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Indianapolis Indians scored three runs in the seventh inning and two runs in the ninth inning to rally back for a 6-5 win at the Gwinnett Stripers on Wednesday afternoon. After Tyler Callihan led off the ninth inning with a blooped single, a four-pitch walk from Nick Cimillo and a sacrifice bunt from Derek Berg to advance Callihan and Cimillo, Mitch Jebb’s sacrifice fly scored Callihan from third base to tie the game at 5-5. Infielder Duce Gourson sent a sharp ground ball to first base that was bobbled by David McCabe and scored Cimillo for the go-ahead run.
Gourson went 2-for-4 with a home run in the fourth inning for his second home run in two days, while Callihan also went 2-for-4 to ignite the comeback victory.
Indy’s (42-29, 73-73) three-run seventh inning was fueled by a two-RBI double from Cimillo to score both Robert Hassell III and Jack Brannigan. Cimillo scored later in the inning after a groundball from Jebb was thrown away by Gwinnett (36-35, 74-71) shortstop Jim Jarvis.
Gwinnett jumped in front for the first time in the fourth inning when infielder Brett Wisely delivered his 11th home run to right center field to put the Stripers up, 2-1. Jarvis singled to left field to score Maverick Handley and add to the Stripers lead, 3-1, in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Gwinnett added a pair of runs in the sixth inning before Indy rallied for the second consecutive night to take down the Stripers.
LHP Brandon Neeck got the starting nod on the hill for Indy and went 3.0 scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Noah Davis came in for 1.2 innings and was charged with three earned runs. Cy Nielson came on for 1.0 inning of relief, but Landon Tomkins (W, 2-0) went 2.1 innings with one strikeout and Noah Murdock (S, 1) closed the door in the ninth inning for his first save of the season.
Gwinnett’s Brett Sears started and went 6.1 innings with eight strikeouts, five hits and three earned runs allowed. Blake Burkhalter (L, 3-2) gave up the lead on 1.0 inning and both runs were earned.
The six-game series between Indianapolis and Gwinnett continues Thursday night at 7:05 PM ET. Indy will start LHP Connor Wietgrefe (5-5, 3.32) and Gwinnett’s starter has yet to be announced.