Indians Lose 6-5 Heartbreaker To Columbus
Published on June 29, 2008 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- First baseman Ryan Langerhans smacked a two-run double down the left-field line with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to give Columbus a dramatic 6-5 win over Indianapolis Sunday night at Cooper Stadium.
The Clippers improve to 45-37 overall and 20-17 at home, while the Indians fall to 40-44 on the season and 19-23 on the road. Columbus has now won nine of the first 11 meetings in this year's head-to-head series.
Langerhans' 27th and 28th RBI of the campaign came after C David Wallace reached on a fielding error, PH Larry Broadway ripped a double to right and CF Tommy Murphy walked. All three runs were unearned as a result of the Tribe's second miscue.
Columbus' late rally erased a five-run top of the fifth when Indianapolis 3B Neil Walker and RF Adam Boeve both clobbered home runs. The outburst was just one shy of the Indians' season high for runs in an inning.
Walker's 13th long ball of the campaign -- a three-run blast to center -- came after LF Nyjer Morgan yanked a double to right and CF Andrew McCutchen reached on a fielder's choice. Boeve's ninth roundtripper of the year -- a two-run shot to left center -- then came after 1B Steve Pearce drew a base on balls.
RF Austin Kearns brought home the Clippers' first four runs -- three coming on a first-inning dinger and another coming on a ninth-inning sacrifice fly. The Washington outfielder, on a Major League rehabilitation assignment after having right elbow surgery, was playing in his second Triple-A contest of the year.
Kearns (2-for-4, 1 R, 4 RBI), Langerhans (2-for-4, 2 RBI) and LF Jorge Padilla (3-for-5, 1 R) finished with more than one hit for Columbus, while Boeve (2-for-4, 2 RBI) and Morgan (2-for-5, 1 R) collected multi-hit games for the Tribe.
Clippers RHP Brian Sanches (1.0 IP, 1 SO) picked up the win in his first decision of 2008, while Indians RHP Matt Miller (0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO) fell to 4-4 with the loss despite not allowing an earned run.
Neither starter -- Columbus RHP Dennis Tankersley (4.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 1 SO) or Indianapolis LHP Corey Hamman (6.0 IP, 10 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO) -- figured in the decision.
The Clippers finish the three-game series with 37 base knocks, including 13 extra-base hits.
Sunday evening's tilt marked the third of 21 straight against International League West Division opponents. From June 27 through July 20, the Tribe is scheduled to battle Columbus 11 times, Louisville six times and Toledo on four occasions.
Indianapolis continues its road trip with a four-game set at Louisville. Indians RHP Bryan Bullington and Bats LHP Adam Pettyjohn are the probables for Monday's series opener at 7:05 p.m.
The contest will be carried by WXLW-950 AM and www.IndyIndians.com with Howard Kellman and Scott McCauley. The pre-game show begins at 6:45 p.m.
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Post-game quotes -- Infielder Neil Walker
(on going 6-for-12 in the Columbus series)
"I stuck to my approach at the plate this series, and did less free swinging. I tried to work the ball towards the middle of the field, and things worked out for me."
(on the types of pitches he was looking for tonight)
"I was on top of several fastballs, and kept my weight back on the off-speed pitches I could hit. Hitting is all about confidence, and I hope this momentum can carry me for the next few weeks."
(on his fifth-inning homer -- a three-run blast to center)
"(Manager) Trent (Jewett) gave me the green light on a 3-0 pitch. It was a fastball right down the middle of the plate, and I got good wood on it. I was just trying to stay up the middle, and didn't want to do too much."
(on LHP Corey Hamman's first Triple-A start of the year)
"I think (Corey) Hamman did a fantastic job tonight. The game could've gotten out of hand early, but he didn't let it. He definitely settled down after that first inning, and gave us a great chance to win. That's all you can ask for from your starting pitcher."
International League Stories from June 29, 2008
- Indians Lose 6-5 Heartbreaker To Columbus - Indianapolis Indians
- Indians Have 14 Roster Moves In One Weekend - Indianapolis Indians
- Bulls Gore Braves - Gwinnett Stripers
- Roberson lifts Tides in bottom of ninth - Norfolk Tides
- Bisons Activate RHP Juan Rincon - Buffalo Bisons
- Bisons Notes - Buffalo Bisons
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