Tribe Wraps Up Season with 5-2 Win Over Bats
Published on September 1, 2008 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Right hander Daniel McCutchen struck out nine over seven scoreless innings to lead Indianapolis to a 5-2 victory over Louisville in the final game of the 2008 regular season Monday afternoon at Louisville Slugger Field.
The Indians improve to 68-76 on the season and 30-42 on the road, while the Bats fall to 88-56 overall and 44-28 at home. The win gives Indianapolis a series split with Louisville, who now heads to the International League playoffs, where they will face Durham.
McCutchen (7.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB. 9 SO) picked up the win for Indianapolis, striking out nine in seven innings of work to improve to 7-9 on the season. After Louisville loaded the bases in the second, McCutchen went on to retire 14 straight batters including six by the strike out.
In relief of McCutchen, RHP John Van Benschoten (0.1 IP) picked up his second hold of the season, while RHP Franquelis Osoria (1.0 IP, 2 H) notched his first save.
LF Chris Duffy sparked the Indians' offensive attack, going 3-for-4 with two runs and finished the season reaching base in 10 of his last 12 at-bats. Duffy also blasted his first long ball of the season, lifting a solo shot to right center field in the fourth inning to break up a 0-0 tie.
The Tribe tacked on another run in sixth, when SS Luis Cruz led off with a single, moved to second on a Duffy base knock, and eventually trotted home on a single by CF Andrew McCutchen.
Indianapolis added three important insurance runs in the top half of the eighth.
Duffy and 2B Brian Bixler led off the eighth with back-to-back singles and moved into scoring position with a double steal. 3B Neil Walker followed with a base hit of his own to drive in Duffy and tie his single season career high with 80 RBI.
Later in the inning, C Robinzon Diaz provided the games big blow with a two-run triple to right field that extended the Tribe's lead to 5-0.
Louisville mounted a come back in their half of the eighth as 1B Luis Bolivar led off with a triple and quickly trotted home on an RBI base knock by SS Paul Janish. CF Drew Stubbs then came through with a base hit of his own to drive in Janish and draw Louisville to within three at 5-2.
Duffy (3-for-4, 2 R, 1 RBI) and Diaz (2-for-4, 2 RBI) collected multiple hits for Indianapolis, while RF Michael Griffin (2-for-4) and LF Shaun Cumberland (2-for-4) turned in multi-hit efforts for Louisville.
Louisville starter Bobby Livingston (6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO) took the loss to drop to 4-4 on the season.
With four stolen bases on the afternoon, the Tribe finishes the season with an International League high 198 swipes, their largest total in the Victory Field era.
Louisville ended up winning the season series against Indianapolis -- 12 games to 10. The Bats finish the year 41-23 against IL West Division foes, while the Indians wrap up 27-37 in that same category.
International League Stories from September 1, 2008
- Red Wings Fly High in Final Game - Rochester Red Wings
- Braves Win Final Game - Gwinnett Stripers
- Tribe Wraps Up Season with 5-2 Win Over Bats - Indianapolis Indians
- Bats Drop Season Finale 5-2 to Indians, Quest For Cup Begins - Louisville Bats
- What a Way to End the Season - Charlotte Knights
- Price announced as Game One Starter - Durham Bulls
- Bisons Notes - Buffalo Bisons
- There is Only One September - Pawtucket Red Sox
- Wings Win in 10 - Rochester Red Wings
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