Syracuse Mounts Two Comebacks to End Indianapolis' Winning Streak
Published on July 26, 2008 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release
INDIANAPOLIS -- Third baseman Kevin Melillo and first baseman Curtis Thigpen came up with back-to-back RBI hits in the top of the eighth to give Syracuse a 6-5 win over Indianapolis in front of 12,603 Saturday night at Victory Field.
The Chiefs improve to 52-54 overall and 27-26 on the road, while the Indians fall to 51-57 on the season and 28-29 at home. The win is just Syracuse's second in six tries against Indianapolis this season. The decision also ends a four-game winning streak for the Tribe.
Syracuse pulled ahead for good in the eighth thanks to a base on balls, an error and run-scoring base knocks by Melillo and Thigpen.
The Chiefs also battled back from an early 4-0 deficit with a four-run third.
CF Buck Coats singled and C Robinzon Diaz doubled before 2B Danny Sandoval plated Syracuse's first run with a base hit. Then, following an RBI groundout by LF Russ Adams, DH Hector Luna provided the game's big blast -- a two-run long ball to left.
Syracuse RHP Jesse Litsch (7.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO) picked up the win in his first Triple-A start of the season. The 23-year-old struck out six of seven Indianapolis hitters -- including five in a row -- over the third, fourth and fifth innings.
Former Indian Jonah Bayliss (1.0 IP, 2 SO) pitched a perfect eighth for his fifth hold of the season, while RHP Rick Bauer (1.0 IP, 1 SO) notched his 16th save for the Chiefs with a blemish-free ninth.
Sandoval (2-for-3, 2 R, 1 RBI) and Luna (2-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI) turned in multi-hit performances for Syracuse.
Indianapolis jumped out to an early advantage with three runs in the opening frame. It was the fifth straight contest that the Tribe has plated at least one run in its first at-bat.
2B Luis Ordaz helped the Indians get on the board with an RBI groundout which plated CF Andrew McCutchen. SS Brian Bixler then provided the inning's big blow -- a two-run single which brought home 3B Neil Walker and 1B Ryan Mulhern.
The Tribe re-claimed the lead with runs in the second and seventh on a Syracuse wild pitch and an RBI single by RF Jorge Cortes.
Indianapolis LHP Juan Perez (1.2 IP, 3 H , 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO) took the loss, falling to 2-1 on the season.
RHP Romulo Sanchez (3.1 IP, 1 H, 2 SO) and RHP Evan Meek (1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 SO) held Syracuse scoreless for nearly five innings in relief of RHP Ty Taubenheim (2.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 0 SO), who took a no-decision.
Meek has now posted an 0.44 ERA (1 ER in 20.1 IP) over his last 10 relief appearances, while Sanchez has turned in a 1.95 ERA (7 ER in 32.1 IP) in 18 appearances at Victory Field this season.
Mulhern (2-for-4, 1 R) posted the only multi-hit effort for Indianapolis.
The teams continue their four-game series on Sunday at 2 p.m. RHP Scott Richmond is scheduled to start for Syracuse, while RHP Jason Davis is expected to get the nod for Indianapolis.
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 1:40 p.m.
It's another Souvenir Sunday at Victory Field as the first 4,000 fans receive a 2008 Indians Baseball Card Set courtesy of Fazoli's and WTHR-Ch. 13. Gates open at 12:30 p.m.
International League Stories from July 26, 2008
- Columbus wins over Norfolk - Norfolk Tides
- Syracuse Mounts Two Comebacks to End Indianapolis' Winning Streak - Indianapolis Indians
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- Bats carve out victory over Bulls - Durham Bulls
- Knight's Bats Go Silent - Charlotte Knights
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