IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Bats Take Home 6-1 Victory Over Tribe

July 7, 2010 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Four Louisville Bats' pitchers held the Indianapolis Indians to just one-run on two hits, while the Bats' offense exploded for six runs on 14 hits and had six individual players turn in multi-hit efforts on their way to the 6-1 victory over the Tribe on Wednesday night at Louisville Slugger Field.

With the loss, Indianapolis falls to 45-43 on the season, while Louisville improves to 42-46 with the victory. The win also gives the Bats a 5-1 home/road series victory over the Tribe and gives them a 7-5 advantage in the overall season series.

Bats' starter Matt Klinker (6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO) was brilliant over six innings of work as he allowed just one hit and struck out seven to earn the victory and improve to 3-1 on the season. Following Klinker, relievers Jared Burton (1.0 IP, 2 SO) and Daniel Ray Herrera (1.1 IP, 1 SO) each turned in perfect performances with Herrera tossing the final 1.1 frames to pick up his first save of the season.

While the Tribe only managed two base knocks off the Louisville pitching staff, a second inning single by RF Brandon Moss and a RBI base hit by SS Doug Bernier off of Bats' reliever Aroldis Chapman (0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) that plated CF Jonathan Van Every in the eighth, the Bats' offense exploded for six runs on 14 hits.

The Bats jumped on the board in the third when C Ryan Hanigan roped a one-out double to left field and immediately came around to score when SS Zack Cozart followed with a single to center. Louisville then kept the momentum rolling when they broke out for five runs on six hits in the fourth inning to take a commanding 6-0 lead.

Louisville began the frame with three straight base knocks as RF Daniel Dorn began the rally with a double to right, moved to third on a base hit by 2B Chris Valaika and came around to score on a single by CF Michael Griffin. Starting pitcher Matt Klinker then moved Valaika and Griffin into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt to set the stage for a clutch two-run single by Hanigan.

Cozart then put an exclamation point on the evening when he capped the scoring by launching a two-run longball to left field to plate Hanigan and put the Bats ahead 6-0. The home run for Cozart was his 11th on the season and increased his team-best RBI total to 41 and his International League best runs scored mark to 56.

Overall six Bats' batters collected as many base knocks as the entire Tribe offense, as Dorn (3-for-3, 1 R), Hanigan (2-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI), Cozart (2-for-5, 1 R, 3 RBI), Griffin (2-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI), 1B Yonder Alonso (2-for-2) and LF Todd Frazier (2-for-4) all posted multi-hit efforts.

Indians' starter Hayden Penn (5.0 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 4-4 on the season after allowing a six runs on a season high 12 hits over five innings of work. The Tribe bullpen did provide a bright spot on the evening as RHP Vinnie Chulk (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 SO), RHP Brian Bass (1.0 IP, 1 H) and LHP Wil Ledezma (1.0 IP) combined to allow just two hits over three scoreless frames of relief.

Indianapolis now heads to Columbus to take on the IL West Division leading Clippers in a two-game series beginning on Thursday, July 8 at 7:05 p.m. LHP Brian Burres is expected to go for the Tribe in game one, while RHP Josh Tomlin is the probable starter for the Clippers.

The contest will be carried by WXLW-950 AM and www.IndyIndians.com with Howard Kellman and Scott McCauley on the call. The pre-game show begins at 6:45 p.m.

Post-game quotes -- INF Doug Bernier

(on scoring nine runs last night and only one tonight)

"This is a crazy game and right now this losing is contagious. We have been getting off to slow starts and falling behind. Then we can't get it going where as when we were winning we got off to good starts and the good feeling was contagious. Guys are pressing and it's been tough out there."

(on entering the series versus Columbus down 8.5 games)

"We need to play winning baseball and only worry about tomorrow. We can take care of business if we play well and get off to a good start."

Check out the Indianapolis Indians Statistics



International League Stories from July 7, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central