IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Bulls Blank Tribe 1-0

Published on May 11, 2011 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


DURHAM, N.C. -- Starter Alex Cobb allowed just four hits and struck out five over six strong innings before relievers J. P. Howell and Jake McGee combined to strike out six and surrender just one single in three frames of relief to lead the Durham Bulls to a 1-0 shutout victory over the Indianapolis Indians on Wednesday afternoon at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

The loss dropped Indianapolis' record to 11-23 this season, while the victory improved Durham's record to 21-13. With the victory the Bulls take a 2-1 series lead and maintain their spot atop the International League South Division.

Cobb (6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO) was brilliant over his six innings of work, as he allowed just four singles and one walk while striking out five to improve to 4-0 on the season and lower his ERA to an International League best 1.31 this season. Cobb's counterpart, Tribe starter Brian Burres (7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO), was equally as dominant and turned in almost identical numbers as the Bulls' starter, however the Indians' southpaw served up one mistake, a first inning one out solo home run to RF Justin Ruggiano, that ultimately pinned him with the tough luck loss to drop him to 1-5 on the year.

Ruggiano continues to haunt the Indians and come through in the clutch for the Bulls, as the right handed IL veteran collected yet another game-winning base knock on Wednesday morning. Ruggiano's longball was his sixth of the season, as well as his first career homer against the Indians and turned out to be the only extra-base hit in the entire game.

Following Ruggiano's roundtripper, both pitching staffs hunkered down and stifled any potential offensive attack as the two squads combined for 18 strikeouts and just three walks in the contest. Following the excellent efforts from both starters, the bullpen's turned in nearly perfect performances of their own.

For the Bulls, Major League veteran J. P. Howell (1.0 IP, 1 H 2 SO) allowed just one hit and struck out two over in his single inning of relief to earn his second hold of the season, before McGee (2.0 IP, 1 BB, 4 SO) allowed just a walk and struck out four over the final two innings of the contest to notch his first save. Out of the Indians 'pen left hander Tony Watson (1.0 IP, 2 SO) continued to impress as he struck out two of the three batters he faced to improve his already team best ERA (2.41), WHIP (0.91) and batting average against (.152).

Though the Indians managed just five singles on the afternoon, they did manage to increase their League-best stolen base total to 46 with steals from 2B Chase d'Arnaud and LF Corey Wimberly. D'Arnaud (2-for-3) also was the only batter on either side to collect multiple hits and the only Tribe batter not to strike out in the contest.

The Indians now wrap up the season series with the Bulls on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. in Durham. LHP Garrett Olson is expected to take the mound for Indianapolis, while LHP Alex Torres will look to give the Bulls the series victory.

The contest will be carried on WNDE 1260 AM, WNDE.com and via iheartradio, a mobile application for iPhone, Blackberry and Android phones with Howard Kellman and Scott McCauley on the call. The pre-game show begins at 6:45 p.m.

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Post-game quotes -- LHP Brian Burres

(on if he felt as good as he looked on the mound) "I did. Being an early game it took me a little while to wake up, but once the game started I felt really good. I was able to locate my pitches well all day. I felt like I could throw any of my four pitches in any count today and it always feels good when that happens."

(on giving up the solo home run to Bulls RF Justin Ruggiano in the first ) "With him, I just got behind. It wasn't the 2-0 pitch, it was the two pitches that got it to 2-0, because he was just able to sit on a fastball and he lifted it the other way for what turned out to be the deciding run in the game."

(on getting some key double play balls after he settled in later in the game) "When you get a couple guys on you just are concentrating on getting the ball down and getting that ground ball. I felt like with my fastball command today, I was going to be able control the game a little more."

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International League Stories from May 11, 2011


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