INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis Indians designated hitter Joshua Palacios brought home outfielder Ronny Simon witih a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth inning to complete the comeback victory, 3-2, at Victory Field on Friday night. Indy tied up the game in the seventh inning after a wild pitch by Chase Petty got past Louisville’s catcher, Dayne Leonard, to score both Simon and Jack Brannigan. Friday was the 27th comeback win and sixth walk-off win this season for the Indians.
Indy (30-19, 61-63) pitchers did their part to keep Louisville within reach, led by Hunter Barco’s 4.0 innings, four strikeouts and only allowed one earned run. Barco has surrendered only two earned runs during his last 14.1 innings pitched.
Indians relievers combined to hold Louisville to only one more run in the last five innings and gave up only four more hits. Michael Darrell-Hicks and Evan Sisk followed to throw 2.0 innings combined and only allowed one hit with one strikeout coming from Darrell-Hicks. Beau Burrows (W, 5-2) earned the win and Isaac Mattson went 2.0 innings, but gave up the one additional run with two strikeouts.
Mitch Jebb went 2-for-4 at the plate and Brannigan ended the night 2-for-3 to power the Indy bats. Simon went 1-for-2 with two walks.
Louisville (17-32, 56-66) was first to score in the top of the fourth inning when outfielder Will Benson singled to center, stole second on the next pitch and was later driven home for the first run of the game on a Dominic Pitelli base hit. Pitelli scored the second run in the seventh inning on a slow roller to third base off the bat from outfielder Noelvi Marte to give the Bats its largest lead at 2-0.
Louisville’s scheduled starter Brandon Leibrandt was a late scratch and RHP Kevin Abel took the hill for the Bats to start the game. Abel went 4.0 innings, struck out five batters and only gave up three hits on short notice. Anthony Misiewicz (L, 2-2) ended the game walking two batters and gave up the decisive winning run.
The six-game series between Indianapolis and Louisville continues Saturday at 6:35 PM ET. LHP Connor Wietgrefe (4-3, 3.20) is scheduled to start for the Indians and LHP Brandon Williamson (1-1, 7.11) will start for Louisville tomorrow night.