Due to rain, the Indianapolis Indians’ Opening Day victory was a day late. The back-to-back International League West Divisionchampions defeated the Columbus Clippers 2-1.

The Indians faced-off against the Clippers for the first of 21 times scheduled this season. The Tribe had two runs on four hits on their way to the team’s first Opening Day win since 2007.

On the mound for the Tribe was Casey Sadler making his second Triple-A appearance. He had a quality start – going six innings and giving up only one run in four hits. The righty walked one and struck out three, but earned the no-decision as the two teams headed into extra innings tied at one.

Carlos Paulino scored the first run of the Indians’ season and of the game in the third inning. He was driven in on a single by Gregory Polanco.

The Clippers scored their only run in the fifth inning, but threatened in the bottom of the eighth. With the bases loaded, Clippers’ Carlos Moncrief singled to Polanco in right field. Polanco then threw a rocket to Paulino at home getting out the go-ahead run and ending the inning.

Indians’ team MVP, Matt Hague  led off the tenth inning with a double. The next batter Brent Morel, who is a new member of the Pirates’ organization, batted Hague in on a single to center field.  Jared Hughes pitched two scoreless innings, including the bottom of the tenth to solidify the Tribe’s first win.

The rained out game from Thursday has been moved to Saturday and the Tribe will play a doubleheader with the first game starting at 3:05 p.m. Brandon Cumpton is the expected starter for game one.