Celestino in the Clutch: Indians Walk off Clippers on Two-Out, Two-Run Double in Ninth

June 8, 2024 - International League (IL)
Indianapolis Indians News Release

INDIANAPOLIS - With runners at the corners and two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Gilberto Celestino rocketed the eighth pitch of his at-bat into the right-center gap for a double to score Canaan Smith-Njigba and Jake Lamb, giving the Indianapolis Indians a thrilling 4-3 win over the Columbus Clippers on Saturday night at Victory Field.

After collecting just three hits through the first eight innings, Indianapolis (26-34) came alive in the ninth for its third walk-off win of the season. Smith-Njigba worked a leadoff walk and took second on a single by Liover Peguero. Lamb then blooped a fly ball into shallow left, but Peguero was forced out at second on the play for the first out. Following a Gorski infield popout, Celestino fouled off two 3-2 pitches before winning the battle against Anthony Gose (L, 2-3).

Lamb gave the Indians the early lead with a two-run single off Xzavion Curry in the opening frame, but the right-hander silenced Indy's bats over the next six innings. Columbus (24-37) rallied behind its starter, recording a run in three consecutive innings against Drake Fellows, who issued six walks and allowed four hits in 4.0 innings pitched.

Isaac Mattson (2.1ip), Ryder Ryan (1.2ip) and Connor Sadzeck (1.0ip) combined for five scoreless innings in relief. Sadzeck (W, 2-0) pitched a scoreless ninth.

Indy's first two walk-off wins of the season came via run-scoring singles by Carter Bins on April 17 vs. St. Paul and Yasmani Grandal on April 30 vs. Buffalo.

• Discuss this story on the International League message board...

International League Stories from June 8, 2024

• Celestino in the Clutch: Indians Walk off Clippers on Two-Out, Two-Run Double in Ninth - Indianapolis Indians
• Bats Record 4-2 Win Over Sounds In Extra Innings - Louisville Bats
• I-Cubs Defeat Mud Hens with Walk-off - Iowa Cubs
• Chasers Fall 13-4 in Six to Memphis, Ending Nine-Game Win Streak - Omaha Storm Chasers
• Sounds Fall to Bats in Extras - Nashville Sounds
• Saints' Three Home Runs Late Not Enough in 8-3 Loss - St. Paul Saints
• Lucchesi Shines as Syracuse Beats St. Paul, 8-3, on Saturday Night - Syracuse Mets
• RailRiders Top Norfolk Tides in Walk-off, 10-7 - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
• Memphis Shuts out Omaha, Baker Hits 70th Home Run as Redbird - Memphis Redbirds
• Back-and-Forth Battle Doesn't Fall in the Hens' Favor - Toledo Mud Hens
• Ruben Cardenas Debuts with Two Homers to Lead 'Pigs by Bisons - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
• Knights Fall to 'Shrimp 7-2 on Saturday - Charlotte Knights
• Bisons Unable to Overcome Early Deficit against Lehigh Valley - Buffalo Bisons
• Conine Powers Jumbo Shrimp to 7-2 Win - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
• Baz, Shenton Pave Way for 7-3 Bulls Win - Durham Bulls
• Stripers Cooled off by Baz, Bulls in 7-3 Loss - Gwinnett Stripers
• Tides Fall Victim to Scranton/WB Comeback - Norfolk Tides
• Sogard, Offense Lead WooSox to Third Straight Victory - Worcester Red Sox
• Red Wings Fall in Third-Straight Game at Worcester - Rochester Red Wings
• June 8 Game Notes: Iowa Cubs vs. Toledo Mud Hens - Iowa Cubs
• Michael Chavis Signed, Joins Knights Saturday - Charlotte Knights
• SWB Game Notes - June 8 - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
• Rochester Red Wings Game Notes - June 8 at Worcester - Rochester Red Wings

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Indianapolis Indians Stories

• Indians and I-Cubs Postponed Due to Forecasted Severe Weather
• Two-Run Ninth Hands Indians Loss in Home Opener
• Right-Handed Pitcher Thomas Harrington Selected by Pittsburgh
• Series Preview: Iowa Cubs vs. Indianapolis Indians, April 1-6
• Indians at Saints Postponed Due to Inclement Weather