Bats score three in the seventh to defeat Tribe 4-2
July 4, 2005 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release
INDIANAPOLIS -- Louisville scored three runs in the top of the seventh and went on to post a 4-2 victory over Indianapolis before a sellout crowd of 15,649 on Independence Day at Victory Field. The Bats improve to 41-44 with the win, while the Indians fall to 48-36 on the season.
Louisville 3B Aaron Holbert broke a 1-1 tie in the seventh with an RBI double to left field as LF Santiago Perez came around to score. Pinch-hitter Alex Fernandez then singled to put runners on the corners before SS Anderson Machado walked and 2B William Bergolla delivered a two-run single up the middle.
Indianapolis cut the deficit with a run in the bottom of the seventh. The Tribe immediately loaded the bases as RF Yurendell de Caster was hit by a pitch, 2B Cesar Crespo blooped a single to left field and SS Jorge Velandia drew a walk. De Caster then scored on LF Nate McLouth's sacrifice fly to left field.
The Indians threatened in the eighth and could've easily tied things if it wasn't for a spectacular defensive play by Bergolla. Catcher Ronny Paulino smashed a lead-off double and advanced to third on a wild pitch. De Caster then walked and stole second to put the tying run in scoring position. Crespo followed with what could've easily been a two-run single, but Bergolla ranged several steps to his right, made a backhand stab and fired on to first just in time.
Louisville RHP Chris Booker (1.0 IP, 1 SO) slammed the door in the ninth for his 11th save of the campaign. LHP Randy Keisler (2.0 IP, 1 H) was credited with the win, improving to 4-2.
Indianapolis RHP Brian Mallette (0.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO) was pinned with the loss, falling to 0-1. Both starters -- Bats RHP Steve Kelly (4.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO) and Indians LHP Cory Stewart (6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 SO) -- took no-decisions.
The clubs swaped runs early in the contest as Indianapolis scored in the bottom of the third and Louisville answered in the top of the fourth. McLouth scored for the Indians when 1B Craig Wilson ripped a single to right field. RF Austin Kearns then came plateward for the Bats when 1B Ricky Bell lifted a sacrifice fly to center.
Kearns, who began the season with Cincinnati before being optioned to Triple-A, finished the contest 2-for-3 with one run. McLouth extended his season-best hitting streak to 10 games by going 2-for-4 with one run and one RBI.
The two teams return to Victory Field Tuesday night at 7 p.m., for game three of the five-game series. The contest will be carried by ESPN-950 AM as Howard Kellman and Robert Portnoy have the call. Tuesday's pre-game show begins at 6:40 p.m.
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