INDIANAPOLIS -- Starter Wade Davis struck out nine and allowed just one earned run in 6.2 innings, while designated hitter Chris Richard drove in two runs with RBI singles in the third and eighth to lead the Durham Bulls to a 3-1 victory over the Indianapolis Indians Wednesday afternoon at Victory Field.With the loss the Indians fall to 46-51 on the season and 23-24 at home, while the Bulls improve to 54-43 overall and 29-24 on the road with the win. The victory is Durham's first over Indianapolis this season and pushes to season series to 2-1 in favor Indianapolis.
Richard drove in two of the three Durham runs as the left-handed slugger went 3-for-5 with three singles and along with RF Matt Joyce (2-for-5, 1 R) turned in a multi-hit performance for the Bulls. The former Indianapolis Indians infielder entered Wednesday's contest tied for second in the International League with 17 home runs, but got the job done with one-base hits as the Bulls managed to push across three runs on seven hits, none of which were of the extra-base variety.
Richard's two RBI's would be all Durham needed as Davis (6.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 9 SO) was dominant, allowing only a single run, while striking out nine in his 6.2 innings of work. The 6-5 right hander, who entered the contest rank among the IL's leaders in wins (T-3rd) and strikeouts (4th), did not, however, figure in the final decision as Tribe starter Tom Gorzelanny matched his effort and kept the Tribe in the contest.
Gorzelanny (6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 SO), also struck out nine and allowed just one unearned run on four hits in a six inning no-decision. The left hander has now given up only five earned runs in his last 45.1 innings (1.00 ERA) and has not allowed more than one run in any of his last eight starts, while also striking out 47 during that span.
The Bulls did manage to tag Gorzelanny for the first score of the contest as they took advantage of a Tribe miscue in the third inning. With one out in the third frame, Joyce singled and bypassed first and went to second on a throwing error that gave the Bulls the first threat of the contest. Joyce then came plateward for the game's first score as he moved to third on a fly out and was then brought home on a two-out single to left-center by CF Justin Ruggiano.
The Indians would answer in the sixth as 3B Neil Walker blasted the first pitch he saw into the lawn in right field for his eighth home run and what turned out to be the only Indianapolis' run on the afternoon. The long ball was Walker's first since coming off the disabled list and the first since he had back-to-back games with round-trippers on May 28 and May 29.
After the homer Davis was replaced by Durham right hander Jason Childers (1.1 IP, 1 H, 2 SO) who continued the Bulls' excellent pitching performance striking out two and allowing just one hit to earn his eighth victory in 1.1 innings of relief. Childers was followed by Bulls' closer Dale Thayer (1.0 IP), who pitched a perfect ninth to pick up his team leading 14th save of the season.
After Walker's solo home run in the sixth tied the score at one the Bulls re-took the lead with two scores in the eighth as Ruggiano drew a one-out walk and quickly advanced to second on a balk by Indians' RHP Jason Davis, who replaced Gorzelanny in the seventh. Ruggiano would eventually come around to score as Richard recorded his second RBI with a single to right field, before the Bulls extended the threat by loading the bases on a single by 1B Rhyne Hughes and a walk by LF Elliot Johnson.
Indians' reliever Jeremy Powell (1.2 IP. 1 H, 1 BB, 2 SO) then took over for Davis and got 3B Ray Olmedo to bunt into a force out at the plate, before he eventually forced in Durham's insurance run by surrendering a walk to C Craig Albernaz to push to score to 3-1 in favor of the Bulls. Davis (1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 SO) went on to take the loss for the Tribe to drop to 0-8 on the season
Indianapolis will wrap up their four-game series with Durham on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. RHP Brad Lincoln is scheduled to start for Indianapolis, while RHP Andy Sonnanstine is expected to get the nod for the Bulls.
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 6:40 p.m.
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