August 31, 2022 – International League (IL) – Indianapolis Indians News Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Cal Mitchell and Carter Bins cranked two-run home runs and three Indians relievers – John O’Reilly, Joe Jacques and Hunter Stratton – combined for seven scoreless innings to lift Indianapolis to a 6-2 comeback win over the Louisville Bats on Wednesday night.
Trailing 2-0 through three innings, the Indians (63-60) tied the game on Mitchell’s ninth homer in Triple-A, a line drive to the right field bleachers that extended his hitting streak to nine games. The score remained 2-2 until the top of the seventh, when Bins clubbed his two-run shot over the wall in left-center to give Indy its first lead of the night.
The Indians laced four singles in the ninth to add a pair of insurance runs. Diego Castillo started the frame with a single and reached third base on a knock by Blake Sabol, who was making his Triple-A debut. Following a four-pitch walk to Hoy Park that loaded the bases, Ji-Hwan Bae slashed a two-run single to left. Mitchell then reached on an infield single, but Park was thrown out at the plate attempting to score from second base.
Fresh off a walk-off win in the series opener, Louisville (52-73) wasted little time in grabbing an early advantage against Indians starter Zach Matson. Spencer Steer drilled a one-out, ground-rule double to right and circled the bases on a two-run homer by Stephen Piscotty to straightaway center.
Matson tossed a scoreless second inning, and the relief trio of O’Reilly (3.0ip, 3h, 2k), Jacques (2.0ip, 1h, 3k) and Stratton (2.0ip, 1h, 2k) slammed the door to help Indy even the series at one game apiece. O’Reilly finished August with just one earned run allowed in 13.2 innings (0.66 ERA). Jacques (W, 4-1) earned the win while Stratton (S, 2) secured his second save in four opportunities.
Mason Martin smacked two doubles and scored on Bins’ ninth Triple-A blast and career-high 10th long ball of the season. Martin leads Indy with 44 extra-base hits, a total that also ranks in the top 10 of International League leaders.
Indianapolis finished the month of August with a 17-10 record, its best month this season.
The Indians and Bats continue their series Thursday at Louisville Slugger Field, with first pitch again scheduled for 6:35 PM ET. RHP Randy Wynne (5-11, 5.01) will start for the Bats. Indy has not yet named its starter.
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