TOLEDO, Ohio – The Indianapolis Indians scored three runs in the top of the first inning, but Toledo responded with five unanswered runs to defeat Indy, 5-3, on Saturday night. Indians infielder Tyler Callihan singled to right field to score Ronny Simon for the first run of the game and Robert Hassell III doubled to right field as well to score Callihan and Enmanuel Valdez to take an early 3-0 lead.
Indians (35-27, 66-71) starter Noah Murdock only made it 0.2 innings to begin the game as Toledo (32-30, 66-70) responded with three runs in the bottom of the first, despite not recording a hit in the inning.
Brandon Neeck (L, 3-3) came in after Murdock to go 3.0 innings with five strikeouts and one earned run on two hits. Mud Hens infielder Trei Cruz singled off Neeck on a ground ball to right field to score Michael Siani and give Toledo the lead, 4-3.
CD Pelham entered for Indy next, went 1.1 innings with three strikeouts, but surrendered a solo home run to Toledo designated hitter Corey Julks in the fifth inning to extend Toledo’s lead to 5-3.
Michael Darrell-Hicks went 2.0 innings after Pelham with three strikeouts, while Evan Sisk went 1.0 inning to end the game for Indy.
Indians outfielders Mitch Jebb, Hassell III and Simon all went 2-for-4 at the plate on Saturday night.
For Toledo, Sawyer Gipson-Long (W, 3-6) went 5.0 innings, struck out four and gave up the three earned runs in the first inning on seven hits. Ty Madden and Nick Sandlin were credited with holds, while Jack Little (S, 5) wrapped up the game in the last inning for his fifth save of the season.
The six-game series between Indianapolis and Toledo concludes on Sunday night at 6:05 PM ET. LHP Nick Dombkowski (4-5, 6.82) is scheduled to start for the Indians and LHP Austin Gomber (2-4, 4.54) will take the mound for Toledo.