IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Keller's Dominance Erased by Four-Run Sixth

Published on August 2, 2019 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS - Mitch Keller tallied the seventh 10-plus strikeout game of his career and third of the season but couldn't shut down the Clippers completely as the Tribe bats fell quiet to drop the first game of the series, 5-3.

Keller (L, 7-5) began his start with the chance at a career-outing, striking out 12 of the first 16 batters he faced as he held the Clippers hitless through the first four innings. However, his cruise didn't hold through his sixth inning of work, and he surrendered four runs on five hits, three for extra bases, to finish the day one strikeout shy of his career high.

After tallying 18 hits on Thursday against Toledo, the Tribe (56-54) wasted no time getting on the board in their fifth straight IL West game. They sent seven batters to the plate in the second inning, led off by a double from Kevin Kramer. Jason Martin scored Kramer on a one-out single and later had a savvy slide at the plate on a Cole Tucker knock that put the Indians up 2-0.

The Clippers (62-48) found their groove in the top of the sixth when Eric Haase smoked a leadoff triple into the right field gap. Four straight one-out hits gave Columbus a quick 4-2 lead, and Keller's night ended with the final out.

Haase sent a fly ball into the right field corner for his second triple of the evening in the top of the ninth, giving the Clippers an insurance run before the Tribe's final inning at the plate.

The Tribe cut the deficit back to two without recording a hit in the bottom of the ninth. Three walks and Tucker reaching second base safely on a fielder's choice scored one for Indy, but with the bases loaded, the offense couldn't come through for a second walk-off against Columbus in as many meetings.

Dovydas Neverauskas entered the game in the seventh inning and threw two hitless innings to keep the Tribe within striking distance of first-place Columbus.

Michael Peoples (W, 8-5) allowed two runs on seven hits through six innings of work. Jon Edwards (S, 2) came in relief of John Smith in the ninth inning to strand the bases loaded.

The Indians and Clippers continue their weekend set tomorrow night at Victory Field in a 7:05 p.m. ET start. It will be a battle of the southpaws as Brandon Waddell (1-3, 8.50) takes the mound against Logan Hill (4-3, 5.15), who is making his first start in a Columbus uniform.

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International League Stories from August 2, 2019


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