Deja vu? Not so fast my friend!

During the 2005 Governors' Cup, former first overall pick Bryan Bullington and the Indianapolis Indians were swept by division rival Toledo. Tonight, the Columbus Clippers looked to write another lyric in the same song.

Columbus, who was crowned IL West champions with Indianapolis during the regular season, dramatically won Games 1 and 2 by Audy Ciriaco blasting a go-ahead home run in the first, and Tyler Holt making a fantastic over-the-shoulder catch for the 27th out on Wednesday (Game 2). Unsurprisingly, the drama shifted from Huntington Park to Victory Field.

While the Clippers' had their "Pitcher to Watch," Toru Murata, on the mound yesterday, the Indians sent their ace Tyler Glasnow to stave off elimination this evening. Unfortunately for Dean Treanor's club, Columbus' ship started off sailing strong.

Although the Pittsburgh Pirates' top prospect retired the side to begin the game, Columbus "Zach Attacked" with a Zach Walters lead-off triple in the second. Looking to pull ahead like the night prior, Adam Moore drove him home to push his team ahead. Next up was Yandy Diaz and he blasted an offering over the right-center field wall to make the score 2-0.

Later in the game, matters worsened for Glasnow as former Texas Ranger Michael Choice sent a fastball to the trees in center field during the third, and Walters absolutely rocketed a pitch onto the grassy berm the next frame. Columbus' lead expanded to 4-0. The home crowd was stunned.

Going into the bottom of the fourth, Clippers' starter Will Roberts was perfect. Let's just say when the inning ended, he wasn't anymore.

After retiring Alen Hanson to start, Gorkys Hernandez powered a ball to the deepest part of park for a double. Presented with a chance to seize momentum, MLB.com's 33rd ranked prospect Josh Bell "rang the Bell" with a two-bagger of his own, cutting the deficit to three. Following a Willy Garcia single that put runners on the corners, John Bowker roped the third double of the inning down the right field line, cutting the lead to 4-2. However, they were not done. Keon Broxton drew his team within one with a sacrifice fly.

Even though Roberts would escape the horrid inning by inducing a fly out of Dan Gamache, the damage was not done.

In the fifth, the right-hander's troubles continued with a Tony Sanchez single. At this point, Columbus manager Chris Tremie had seen enough and pulled Roberts for MLB veteran Shaun Marcum. 

Despite the change, the team's struggles continued as Marcum walked the first batter he faced. Afterwards, MLB.com's 70th ranked prospect Alen Hanson attempted a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position. So out number one right? Wrong! The pitcher's toss to erase the lead runner shot off Diaz's glove, resulting in everyone being safe. The situation could not have been any better since the bases were loaded for the Indians' hottest hitter Gorkys Hernandez. Hernandez, who had four hits in seven at-bats (this series) entering the contest, continued his impressive stretch with a broken bat single that drove home two. Indianapolis finally had the lead, but it did not last for long.

While the Clippers' pitcher was able to wiggle out of a no-outs bases loaded jam by getting Garcia to line out and Bowker to ground into a double play, Tyler Glasnow salvaged his outing by keeping Columbus off the scoreboard from the fifth inning on. 

Moving into the eighth, the possibility of a Game 4 on Friday looked very high. However, Zach Walters had other plans.

Walters, who was 3-for-3 with a single, triple and home run, not only hit for the cycle on Thursday night by doubling to start the inning, but scored the tying run (on a Moore single). Was another win about to slip out of the Indians' grasp? No it was not as with a runner on third and one out, Josh Wall calmed down and sent Ciriaco as well as James Ramsey back to the dugout empty-handed.

Regardless of allowing Columbus to knot the game at five, Indianapolis continued to fight for their playoff lives. 

Against new pitcher Joseph Colon, Keon Broxton worked the first count to three balls and two strikes in route to drawing a walk. Following a sacrifice bunt by Gamache, Tony "Two Bags" Sanchez rolled a grounder to Yandy Diaz. Instead of conceding an out like some would have, the catcher hustled out of the batter's box. Sadly for those from Columbus, their third baseman's throw to first was a little high, resulting in Jesus Aguilar mishandling the ball as Sanchez ran through the bag. Safe! Following the error, Gustavo Nunez perfectly executed the art of "small ball" by pulling a pitch to the first base side of the diamond to score Broxton from third. The Indians had stolen back the lead. Meaning it was time for the International League's save leader to do what he does best.

The crowd was electric as Indianapolis' closer and team MVP Blake Wood entered the ball game. 

In spite of being set to face the hardest part of the lineup (Michael Choice, Tyler Holt, and Erik Gonzalez), Wood avoided a showdown with the dangerous Jesus Aguilar, who was due up fourth, by sitting down Columbus in order. Indians win! 

Thanks to tonight's thrilling comeback, the Indians have forced a Game 4 tomorrow night at "The Vic." While the Clippers will give the ball to the undefeated (9-0) Jarrett Grube to claim their third Governors' Cup in six years, Chad Kuhl will try to send the two rivals to a Game 5 in his Triple-A debut.

Two Losses in One Night


Was there anything Zach Walters could not do tonight? As a matter of fact, yes. Stay healthy. When sliding into home in the top of the eighth, Walters shoulder popped out of socket, leading to his removal from the game. Immediately, the former Washington prospect has been ruled out for tomorrow's contest while being listed as doubtful for Game 5 (if necessary) and the Triple-A Championship in El Paso next Tuesday.