IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Charlotte Cuts Down Tribe 4-1

Published on July 27, 2011 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


FORT MILL, S.C. -- In his Triple-A debut left fielder Tyler Kuhn belted two doubles, scored a run and had two key outfield assists, while Knights' starter and former Indiana State University star Matt Zaleski allowed just one run over seven strong innings to lead Charlotte past the Indianapolis Indians 4-1 on Wednesday afternoon at Knights Stadium.

With the loss, Indianapolis falls to 54-52 on the season, while the win improves Charlotte's record to 52-54. The victory also gives the Knights a 2-0 advantage in the current series and draws them even with the Tribe in the season series at 3-3.

It was quite a Triple-A debut for Kuhn, who sparked the Knights offense with two doubles and a run scored from the lead-off position as well coming up with two important outfield assists that quelled two potential Tribe scoring rallies. After doubling to lead-off the game, but being left stranded, Kuhn gunned down Tribe 1B Matt Hague trying to stretch a double into a triple to lead-off the second inning.

Then in the third frame, which turned out to be the key-inning of the contest, Kuhn nailed Indians 3B Josh Harrison at the plate trying to score on a single by LF John Bowker. The left handed slugger then capped his night with a double in the midst of the Knights three-run bottom of the third, later scoring in what proved to be the game-winning rally.

Prior to Kuhn's gunning down of Harrison at home, the Tribe actually took the first lead of the contest when SS Pedro Ciriaco lined a one out double to left and quickly came plateward when Harrison followed with a single to center. However, thanks to some excellent defense and clutch pitching, this would be the only run the Indians would score on the night.

Former Indiana State University star Matt Zaleski (7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO) scattered six hits and struck out six over seven solid inning of work to earn the victory and improve to 4-4 on the season. The outing continues an excellent month of July for the right hander, who has now posted a 3-0 record and miniscule 1.62 ERA (6 ER in 33.1 IP) over five starts in the month.

Following Zaleski, Charlotte relievers Dan Remenowsky and Shane Lindsay combined for two scoreless innings of relief to finish off the victory for the Knights. Remenowsky (1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 SO) picked up his first hold of the season after working out of a jam in the eighth, while Lindsay (1.0 IP) notched his second save with a hitless ninth.

After the Tribe took the first lead of the contest at 1-0 in the top of the third, the Knights rallied for three runs on four hits in the bottom of the third. SS Andrew Garcia began the rally with a lead-off double to center, and after a wild pitch pushed him up to third, 1B Kyle Shelton brought him plateward with a base hit to right.

Kuhn then came through with his double to move Shelton to third, where he would trot home one batter later on a sacrifice fly from 2B Eduardo Escobar. Finally, DH Dallas McPherson capped the rally with a clutch two-out base knock that plated Kuhn and gave the Knights the 3-1 advantage.

CF Jordan Danks added an insurance run for Charlotte in the sixth inning, when he launched a two-out solo longball over the fence in left-center for his 11th homer of the season. The Knights really spread the wealth around offensively as four different batters scored a run and four different batters drove in a run.

Only Kuhn (2-for-4, 1 R, 2 2B) managed multiple base knocks for the Knights, while Ciriaco (2-for-4, 1 R) and Bowker (2-for-4) each posted multi-hit efforts for the Tribe.

Outside of the Knights' three-run third, Indianapolis starting pitcher Sean Gallagher (6.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO) turned in a solid effort on the mound for the Tribe, but still suffered the loss to fall to 5-11 on the season. Tribe reliever Steven Jackson (1.1 IP) was a bright spot out of the Indians' bullpen as he tossed 1.1 frames of perfect relief.

Indianapolis and Charlotte continue now their four-game series on Thursday night at 7:15 p.m. Major League veteran LHP Doug Davis is expected to get the start for the Knights, while the Indians have yet to name a starter.

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 6:55 p.m.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Post-game quotes -- LF John Bowker

(on the many chances for outfield assists from left field today) "There is not a lot of room in left or the alleys and that gives you a chance to throw guys out. I feel like I'm in shallow left to begin with and I'm learning you need to be ready to throw."

(on the performance of Knights' starter Matt Zaleski) "His change-up was really good to lefties. My hit to left was on a change up that he elevated, but I missed the 3-2 change up for a strike out."

(on if the small crowds have been a challenge) "It's different from Indy that's for sure. You can get used to playing in front of big crowds and here it's you job to get up for the game."

Check out the Indianapolis Indians Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



International League Stories from July 27, 2011


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