IL Indianapolis Indians

Eighth Inning Walks Hand Indy Series Victory

Published on June 5, 2021 under International League (IL)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS - Three consecutive two-out walks by the Columbus Clippers drove in the winning Indianapolis Indians run in the eighth inning, 3-2, on Saturday to give the Indians the series victory. The Indians are now 9-2 at Victory Field.

With Hunter Owen on base following a throwing error by second baseman Gabriel Arias, Troy Stokes Jr. and Anthony Alford each walked on full counts to load the bases. With a 3-1 count, Kyle Dowdy walked his second batter of the inning, Joe Hudson, to drive in Owen as the winning run.

Owen scored all three runs in the Indians victory, beginning with his second home run to put the Indians on the board in the second inning.

The Indians (15-13) and Clippers then traded runs in the fourth inning. Columbus tied the game on a single by Arias. Alford, who committed a throwing error in the top of the inning, then singled home Owen to retake the lead, 2-1.

Columbus (9-19) tied the game in the top of the fifth with an RBI triple off the bat of Oscar Mercado following a leadoff walk to Connor Marabell.

Tanner Tully (L, 0-2), making his first Victory Field appearance since pitching a shutout in the 2013 IHSAA 4A state baseball finals during his high school career, walked three batters and surrendered five hits in 4.2 innings to earn the loss. He was charged with the game-winning run after Kyle Dowdy entered in relief in the eighth inning and walked two to drive in the winning Indians run.

Indianapolis' bullpen combined for 4.0 scoreless innings with just one baserunner allowed after Cody Ponce went 5.0 two-run innings with seven strikeouts. Matt Eckelman tossed a pair of hitless innings, and Geoff Hartileb (W, 1-1) and Jandel Gustave (S, 4) closed out the game in the final two innings.

Along with scoring all three runs, Owen went 2-for-4 for his third two-hit game of the season. Pirates rehabber Phillip Evans also went 2-for-4 with two doubles, and Chris Sharpe continued his battle for the league lead in doubles with his 10th of the season.

The six-game series between the former International League West Division rivals concludes tomorrow in a 1:35 PM ET start at Victory Field. The Indians have yet to name a starter to face RHP Kevin Herget (0-1, 5.40), who started in the first game of the series.

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