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Craig’s Two-Homer Day Leads Indians In Home Opener Win

The Indians offense hit four home runs on Tuesday night
Will Craig recorded his first two-home run game since July 20, 2018 (1). (Photo by Adam Pintar)
May 11, 2021

The Indianapolis Indians lineup began the game with fireworks and never let up on Tuesday night for Victory Field’s home opener, launching two home runs in the first inning and four total on the evening to oust the Toledo Mud Hens, 4-3.

The Indianapolis Indians lineup began the game with fireworks and never let up on Tuesday night for Victory Field’s home opener, launching two home runs in the first inning and four total on the evening to oust the Toledo Mud Hens, 4-3.

First baseman Will Craig recorded his first two-home run game since July 20, 2018 (1), hitting his first as part of a dual homer frame to open the game and another to score the winning Indianapolis run in the seventh inning. He was joined in the home run fun by Travis Swaggerty, who opened the game with his second leadoff home run of the season (also: May 4 at Iowa), and Andrew Susac.

Indianapolis (3-3) had its early 2-0 erased by Toledo in the third inning following a leadoff triple off the bat of Cole Peterson. Susac then hit his first home run of the season in the bottom of the fifth to give Indianapolis it’s second lead of the night, 3-2.

The Mud Hens (2-4) offense put together one run in the top of the seventh off Indians pitcher Sean Poppen (W, 1-0) in relief of starter Chase De Jong to tie the game at 3-3. In the final two innings, Nick Mears and Jandel Gustave (S, 3) combined to hold Toledo to one hit.

RHP Matt Manning got the start for the Mud Hens and allowed three of the Indians home runs in 6.0 innings while striking out seven. In his 1.0 inning of work, reliever Wladimir Pinto (L, 0-1) surrendered Craig’s second home run of the night to left field. The Indians offense only recorded four hits on the night, all four of them via the long ball.

Indianapolis and Toledo meet again for the first Wednesday day game at Victory Field. RHP Beau Sulser (0-0, 6.75) is set to take the mound for Indianapolis vs. RHP Drew Hutchison (0-0, 4.50). First pitch is at 1:35 PM ET.