Indy extends errorless streak to 12 games
By Brody Tisdale
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indians rallied for seven runs in the sixth inning, but their comeback efforts fell short due to a pair of four-run frames for the Nashville Sounds that accumulated an early eight-run lead to defeat the Indianapolis on Tuesday night at Victory Field, 9-8.
Nashville (57-50, 17-16) stormed ahead early with eight runs off starter Beau Sulser (L, 0-1) in 2.1 innings of work. After a wild pitch plated the opening run, shortstop Patrick Dorrian belted a three-run shot over the center field wall to cap a four-run first. In the third, Jahmai Jones, Dorrian, Owen Miller and Brian Navarreto each notched run-scoring hits to extend Nashville’s lead to 8-0.
Caleb Boushley (W, 7-5) held the Indians to just one hit – a line-drive single from Canaan Smith-Njigba – through 5.0 innings before Indy broke through in the following frame. Indianapolis (50-57, 17-16) plated seven runs on five hits in the sixth to come within one run. Miguel Andújar’s 26th double of the season sparked the rally, scoring Ji Hwan Bae. Ryan Vilade roped a two-run single and Aaron Shackelford plated two more on a fielding error by Monte Harrison on a shallow fly ball to center field. Catcher Grant Koch capped the seven-run frame with a two-RBI double.
Nashville quickly countered in its following plate appearance with Dorrian’s second home run and fifth RBI of the contest.
Down two runs in its final at-bat, Indy threatened after Bae drew a leadoff walk and Nick Gonzales singled to put the winning run at the plate. Andújar drew the second walk of the frame to load the bases with no outs. After a run-scoring fielder’s choice by Smith-Njigba put Indy within one, Thyago Viera (S, 5) escaped the jam by striking out Malcom Nuñez.
The Indians defense placed error-free baseball for the 12th consecutive game, their longest streak since their 12-game streak from Aug. 12-25, 2022.
The six-game series continues on Wednesday night with first pitch slated for 7:05 PM ET. RHP Roansy Contreras (0-0, -.–) will take the mound for Indianapolis against Nashville’s LHP Eric Lauer (1-1, 8.31).
Originally posted on milb.com