The Columbus Clippers scored five runs in the first inning to defeat the Indianapolis Indians, 6-3, and snap Indy’s four-game win streak on Friday night. The first five hitters of the game scored before recording an out, led by a three-run home run from Ralphy Velazquez to give the Clippers a 5-0 lead after the first inning. Velazquez went 3-for-5 at the plate to end his night.
Indians (34-21, 65-65) designated hitter Mitch Jebb got Indy on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning with a sacrifice fly to left field to bring home outfielder Joshua Palacios to cut the Columbus lead down to 5-1. Jebb finished the night 2-for-4 with all three RBI.
In the top of the eighth inning, Columbus (26-27, 67-60) outfielder Cooper Ingle singled a line drive to right to score Alfonsin Rosario and bump the Clippers lead to 6-1. Ingle went 1-for-1 with four walks at the plate on Friday night.
Jebb brought home two runs in the bottom of the ninth to shrink Indy’s deficit, but infielder Duce Gourson struck out to end the game.
Starting pitcher Antwone Kelly (L, 5-6) went 3.0 innings and one strikeout with five runs surrendered on the hill. Right-hander Khristian Curtis came in next to throw 3.1 innings with four strikeouts and only allowed one hit. Derek Diamond was next on the bump and went 1.2 innings and gave up one earned run, while Michael Darrell-Hicks continued his hot August not allowing a run with one strikeout on Friday night.
For Columbus, Justin Campbell and Rorik Maltrud (W, 6-1) combined to only allow six hits and struck out 10 batters. Franco Aleman finished Indy off recording the last two outs of the night.
The six-game series between Indianapolis and Columbus continues on Saturday at 6:35 PM ET. LHP Connor Wietgrefe (4-4, 3.17) is scheduled to start for the Indians and RHP Austin Peterson (4-8, 4.58) will start for Columbus tomorrow night. Saturday night is WWE Night, including the first 2,500 early-arriving fans through the gates will receive a Rowdie WWE bobblehead giveaway, and Chick-fil-A® Night, presented by Chick-fil-A® of Central Indiana.