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IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Buffalo Beats out Tribe 5-1

May 19, 2011 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS -- Starting pitcher Brian Sweeney allowed just one run on four hits over seven strong innings, while second baseman Michael Fisher, center fielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis and first baseman Valentino Pascucci combined to go 8-for-11 with four runs, four walks and five RBI to lead the Buffalo Bisons over the Indianapolis Indians 5-1 in front of a season-best crowd of 12,565 on Thursday afternoon at Victory Field.

With the loss the Indians fall to 17-25, while the Bisons improve to 18-24 with the victory. Despite the defeat, the Indians still hold a 2-1 series advantage and a 5-2 record on the current eight-game homestand.

Sweeney (7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO) turned in by far his best start of the season as he walked none and surrendered just four base knocks, while striking out four to earn his first victory of the season and improve to 1-2. The only blemish on Sweeney's afternoon was a solo home run served up to Tribe 1B John Bowker in the seventh inning.

Sweeney also collected the first base knock for an Indians' opposing pitcher this season when he lined a two-out double to left in the top of the sixth inning. Following Sweeney, relievers Dale Thayer (1.0 IP, 1 H) and Justin Hampson (1.0 IP) combined to allow just one hit over two scoreless innings of relief.

After plating just two runs on 12 hits over the first two games of the series, the Buffalo offense came alive with five runs on 12 hits. Overall, the trio of Fisher (4-for-5, 2 R, 2 RBI), Nieuwenhuis (2-for-4, 2 R, 1 BB) and Pascucci (2-for-2, 3 RBI, 3 BB) each turned in impressive individual efforts as Fisher tied an Indians' opponent high with four base knocks, Nieuwenhuis reached base three times and scored twice, while Pascucci reached base five times and drove in three.

The Bisons jumped on the board quickly with two scores in the top of the first led by Fisher, who lined a one out single to left, before Nieuwenhuis followed with a bunt single to put runners on first and second. Pascucci then brought the pair home when he lined a double to left field to give Buffalo a 2-0 advantage.

After starting the scoring with the first of his season high four base knocks, Fisher then plated each of the Bisons' next two scores, beginning with a run scoring single in top of third that brought home SS Luis Figueroa. The Triple-A rookie then extended the Buffalo lead to 4-0, when he launched his first career Triple-A home run over the fence in right to lead off the fifth inning.

The Bisons would tack on one more tally in the seventh as following a walk to Nieuwenhuis and a wild pitch that pushed him to second, Pascucci roped a base hit to center to extend the Buffalo lead to five. Coming into Thursday's action, the Indians had averaged over ten hits a game on the current homestand. However, the Tribe offense was held to just four singles from four individual players along with Bowker's solo blast in the seventh. 2B Chase d'Arnaud's eight-game hitting streak, which matched 1B Matt Hague for the longest streak by an Indians batter this season, came to an end as he failed to collect a hit over his four plate appearances.

Indians starter Sean Gallagher (5.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 1-6 after allowing four runs on eight hits over five innings of work. After Tribe southpaw Dan Meyer (1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO) allowed one run over 1.1 innings, fellow relievers Chris Leroux (0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 SO), Tony Watson (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 SO) and Blaine Boyer (1.0 IP, 1 BB) combined for 2.2 innings of scoreless relief.

Indianapolis wraps up their four-game series with Buffalo on Friday at 7:15 p.m. LHP Rudy Owens is scheduled to get the start for the Indians, while RHP D.J. Carrasco is expected to take to the mound for the Bisons.

The Indians wrap up their eight-game homestand with Friday Night Fireworks and Breast Cancer Awareness Night. The Tribe will take the field in fan-chosen Pink jerseys to honor Breast Cancer Awareness. During the game, fans can bid on the player-worn jerseys with proceeds to benefit the Community Health Network Foundation's Breast Health Fund.

The contest will be carried on WNDE 1260 AM, WNDE.com and via iheartradio, a mobile application for iPhone, Blackberry and Android phones, while also being broadcast live on Comcast and Bright House Networks digital channel 81 with Howard Kellman and Scott McCauley on the call. The pre-game show begins at 6:55 p.m.

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