SS Luis Cruz Blasts a Two-Run Long Ball in Series Opening Win
Published on August 23, 2008 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release
DURHAM, N.C. -- Shortstop Luis Cruz lifted a two-run long ball to left field in the fifth inning to lead Indianapolis past Durham 6-3 on Saturday evening at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
The Indians improve to 64-71 overall and 29-38 on the road, while the Bulls fall to 69-66 on the season and 30-37 at home. With the series opening win Indianapolis improves to 4-1 against Durham this season.
The long ball for Cruz was his first with the Indians this season and plated RF Steve Pearce, who led off the fifth with a walk. Cruz also sparked the Tribe's first offensive attack, coming around to score on a single by DH Ryan Mulhern after leading off the second inning with a double.
LF Chris Duffy capped the second inning with an RBI single to plate Mulhern for his first RBI with the Indians this season.
Indianapolis tacked on two insurance runs in the ninth on RBI singles by CF Andrew McCutchen and C Ronny Paulino to give them their first victory of more than one-run since August 17 when they defeated Durham 12-5 at Victory Field.
Cruz (3-for-5, 2 R, 2 RBI), Duffy (2-for-5, 1 RBI), 3B Matt Kata (2-for-4) and 2B Brian Bixler (2-for-4, 1 R) all turned in multi-hit efforts for the Tribe.
Indianapolis starter Corey Hamman (5.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO) picked up the win to improve to 4-3 on the season.
RHP Marino Salas (0.2 IP, 2 BB), LHP Juan Perez (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 SO) and RHP Evan Meek (2.0 IP, 3 SO) combined for 3.2 hitless innings of relief for the Tribe. Salas and Perez each picked up their sixth hold of the season, while Meek notched his second save.
Durham jumped on the board early, when RF Nathan Haynes belted a solo home run with one out in the first inning. The long ball was just the second of the season for Haynes and gave the Bulls their only lead of the night.
The Bulls later tacked on single runs in the second and sixth on an RBI single by C Mike DiFelice and an RBI base-on-balls by 2B Elliot Johnson.
Durham starter David Price (4.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO) did not figure in the decision as reliever Heath Phillips (3.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO) was tagged with the loss to drop to 4-5 on the season.
No Durham batter collected multiple hits as Tribe hurlers allowed just six total base knocks and struck out 10 Bulls.
The teams continue their four-game series on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. RHP Mitch Talbot is scheduled to start for Durham, while RHP Ross Ohlendorf 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 4:45 p.m.
International League Stories from August 23, 2008
- SS Luis Cruz Blasts a Two-Run Long Ball in Series Opening Win - Indianapolis Indians
- Knights Outslug the Tides - Charlotte Knights
- Bulls lose but inch closer to division crown - Durham Bulls
- Bats Show Resilience, Drop Clippers 8-6 - Louisville Bats
- Gene Cook & Frank Gilhooley Sr. Inducted To International League Hall of Fame - Toledo Mud Hens
- Bisons Notes - Buffalo Bisons
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