Choi Homers and Drives in Three, But Indians Walked off in Series Opener, 7-6
Published on June 28, 2023 under International League (IL)
Indianapolis Indians News Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Despite rehabbing first baseman Ji Man Choi clubbing a two-run home run in his first game with the Indianapolis Indians, the Louisville Bats took the series opener at Louisville Slugger Field behind four home runs, including a walk-off, 7-6.
After Bats reliever Ricky Karcher (W, 3-2) stranded two Indians base runners in the top of the ninth, Louisville right fielder Henry Ramos pelted a 447-foot walk-off home run to right field off Indians reliever Hunter Stratton (L, 0-4). The defeat was the Indians' 22nd comeback loss of the season, and it drops Indianapolis' record in one-run games to 2-17, with the last win coming on April 8 in Louisville in the eighth game of the season.
The Bats (41-33) opened scoring against rehabbing left-hander Rob Zastryzny in the bottom of the first on a solo home run from designated hitter TJ Hopkins, but it was Choi who got the Indians out in front in the third with a two-run blast to right-center field that traveled 442 feet. He plated another run as the back end of two consecutive sacrifice flies in the fifth, giving Choi a three-RBI night in his first game with Indianapolis.
Indians second baseman Aaron Shackelford plated two more runs with a ground ball single in the top of sixth, but the comeback effort was on for Louisville after that. Three more Bats home runs followed: second baseman Matt Reynolds ripped a solo home run in the sixth, left fielder Stuart Fairchild clubbed a two-run shot in the seventh, and after a game-tying RBI double from center fielder Michael Siani in the bottom of the eighth, Ramos walked it off with his solo blast.
Center fielder Ryan Vilade went 1-for-3 with a walk for the Indians (33-42) in the losing effort, extending his team-best active on-base streak to 18 games. With the free pass drawn his first time up, Vilade has now walked in seven of his last 10 games. Additionally, right fielder Canaan Smith-Njigba tallied a three-hit night, singling twice and lining a double down the right field line in the sixth.
The Indians and Bats continue their six-game series on Thursday night at 6:35 PM ET at Louisville Slugger Field. Left-hander Cam Alldred (3-1, 3.40) toes the rubber for Indianapolis, while top pitching prospect Connor Phillips (0-0, -.--) will make his Triple-A debut for Louisville.
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