Malcom Nuñez extends on-base streak to 12 games with first-inning single
By Cheyne Reiter
LOUISVILLE – Indianapolis dropped its third straight contest and five of six in the series in Louisville, as the Bats used a six-run second inning en route to a 7-1 triumph over the Indians on Sunday afternoon at Louisville Slugger Field.
The bottom of the second started with controversy and ended with the Indians trailing 6-0. Michael Trautwein grounded sharply back to Eric Lauer, and the ball caromed off his back to first baseman Matt Gorski. After fielding, Gorski dove to apply the tag to Trautwein, who was ruled safe by first base umpire Austin Jones. Indy manager Miguel Perez argued the call but was eventually ejected for the first time. Following another single, Hernán Pérez doubled home two runs to put Louisville (21-18) on top. Blake Dunn added a run-scoring double two batters later, and Levi Jordan capped the burst with a three-run home run to left, his second of the season.
The Bats stretched their lead to 7-0 thanks to a sacrifice fly by former Indian Erik González in the third inning. Indianapolis (17-19) plated its lone run in the fourth on a single by Grant Koch and coinciding throwing error by center field Peyton Burdick that allowed Gorski to score.
Lauer (L, 2-2) suffered his second loss of the series after yielding six earned runs on eight hits in 2.0 innings pitched. Carson Spiers (W, 3-1) stymied the Indians for a second time in the series, throwing 6.0 innings and allowing just one unearned run on four hits and two walks with nine strikeouts. He struck out six over 6.0 shutout innings in Tuesday’s series opener.
Malcom Nuñez singled in the first inning to extend his hit streak to five games and on-base streak to 12 games, the fourth-longest on-base streak by an Indian this season and second-longest active streak behind Jake Lamb (16).
Following a day off on Monday, the Indians open a six-game series against Toledo, Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, on Tuesday at Victory Field. First pitch is set for 6:05 PM. Neither team has set its rotation for the series.
Originally posted on milb.com/indianapolis