IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Bats Win IL West with 6-3 Victory Over Tribe

Published on September 6, 2010 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Three Louisville outfielders - Dave Sappelt, Todd Frazier and Sean Henry - combined to go 6-for-11 with four runs scored and four RBI as the Bats earned a 6-3 win over the Indianapolis Indians in the 2010 regular season finale to claim their third straight International League West Division title on Monday afternoon at Louisville Slugger Field.

With the loss, Indianapolis closes out the 2010 campaign with a 71-73 record, while the win ups Louisville's regular season mark to 79-64 on the year. The Bats' victory also concludes the 22-game season series between the two teams, with Louisville earning the final 12-10 advantage.

Knowing that a win coupled with a Columbus Clippers' loss would give them the 2010 IL West crown, the Louisville offense plated two early runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a quick 2-0 advantage. With runners standing at second and third with two outs in the frame, Henry lined the second pitch of his plate appearance to left field to drive home SS Zack Cozart and 1B Danny Dorn and give the Bats a two-run cushion.

After Sappelt launched his first career Triple-A home run out to deep center field to give Louisville a 3-0 lead in the second inning, the Bats tacked on two more scores in the bottom of the third inning to take a commanding 5-0 edge. Louisville loaded the bases with one out in the frame courtesy of two walks and a bunt single, before a fielding error by the Indians' infield allowed Frazier and Henry cross home plate and give the Bats a five-run advantage.

Indianapolis chipped away at Louisville's lead with a single score on an RBI groundout in the top half of sixth inning, before the Tribe plated two more runs in the seventh to cut the Bats' advantage to 5-3. LF-RF Jonathan Van Every blasted his 10th home run of the season to center field with one out in the frame, before LF Kevin Melillo's 24th double of the year plated 2B Brian Friday from first with two outs in the frame.

Frazier later extended the Bats' advantage to 6-3 with a solo home run with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning. The blast upped the outfielder's home run total to 17 on the season and accounted for his third round-tripper of the year against Indianapolis.

Indians' starter Brad Lincoln (2.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO) was strapped with his fifth loss at the Triple-A level this season after he allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits in just 2.1 innings of work. Out of the Tribe bullpen, relievers Dana Eveland (2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 SO) and Anthony Claggett (1.0 IP, 1 SO) each turned in a scoreless outing.

Louisville left-hander Ben Jukich (6.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO), who held the Tribe without a hit over the first five innings of play, limited the Indianapolis offense to three runs on three hits in 6.2 innings of work as he earned his seventh victory of the year. Bats' RHP Micah Owings (1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 SO) earned his first hold of the season in relief of Jukich, while closer Jared Burton (1.0 IP, 1 H) recorded his fourth save of the season to preserve Louisville's IL West-winning victory following a 5-2 Toledo Mud Hens triumph over Columbus.

At the plate, Van Every (2-for-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB) was the only Tribe batter to record multiple hits in the contest, while three Bats' hitters - Sappelt (2-for-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI), Frazier (2-for-3, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB) and Henry (2-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBI) - each collected two base knocks on the afternoon.

Indianapolis' 2011 regular season slate begins on Thursday, April 7 at 7:05 p.m. when the Tribe takes on the Columbus Clippers to kick off the Indians' season-opening nine-game homestand at Victory Field.

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International League Stories from September 6, 2010


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