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IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Clement Leads Tribe Past Knights 2-1

June 17, 2012 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


FORT MILL, S.C. -- First baseman Jeff Clement on Sunday afternoon hit his eight home run of the season and 19th double -- extending his team lead in both categories -- and drove in both Indianapolis runs while four Indians pitchers combined for a one-hitter as the Tribe earned a series split against the Charlotte Knights with a 2-1 win at Knights Stadium.

With the scored tied 1-1 in the top of the ninth, Clement led off the inning with a home run over the right-center-field wall. In that gap, the outfield fence is slightly shorter than down the right-field line, where Clement had doubled off the wall in the first.

That home run proved to be the game-winning hit as RHP Tim Wood (1.0 IP, 2 K) entered in the bottom of the ninth and recorded a pair of strikeouts before inducing a popout to left field to complete a perfect frame and earn his seventh save of the season. RHP Daniel McCutchen (1.0 IP, 2 BB) worked around two eighth-inning walks to earn his third Triple-A win of the season. McCutchen, pitching on a major league rehab assignment, made his first appearance for Indianapolis since May 8.

While neither starting pitcher factored into the final decision on Sunday, both were stellar. Indians LHP Justin Wilson (6.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K) allowed just one hit and was perfect through three innings, while Charlotte LHP Charles Leesman (7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K) didn't allow an earned run while striking out a season-high nine batters. Knights righty reliever Jhan Marinez (2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K) allowed just one hit --Clement's home run -- in taking the loss.

Indianapolis had jumped out to an early first-inning lead when Clement doubled in CF Starling Mate, who had reached on a two-out error and advanced to third on a single by DH Jake Fox. The double was Clement's team-leading 19th of the season and at the time put the slugger in a tie for the second-most in the International League.

The Knights tied the ballgame in the bottom of the fourth inning. CF Greg Golson led off the frame with his 19th double of the season, making it a three-way tie for the league's second-highest total, and stole third before scoring on a fielders choice off the bat of DH Connor Jackson. Golson was a thorn in the Tribe's side the entire series, going 8-for-17 (.471) with three doubles, three RBI, five runs scored and four stolen bases in the four-game set.

The Indians (40-29) now head to Gwinnett to start a four-game series against the Triple-A Braves. The Indians are expected to send RHP Rick VandenHurk (4-0, 1.14) to the mound in the opener, which is scheduled to begin at 7:05 p.m. Gwinnet will likely counter with LHP Jose Lugo (1-1, 3.30).

The game will be carried on WNDE 1260 AM-WFBQ-HD2, WNDE.com and via iheartradio, a mobile application for iPhone, Blackberry and Android phones with Howard Kellman and Will Flemming on the call. The pre-game show begins at 6:45 p.m.

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Post-game quotes -- 1B Jeff Clement

(On his first-inning double, which hit off the wall) "I thought I got enough [to hit it out]. It would have been nice to get that three-run cushion in the first, but I'll take the double with the way I've been swinging it. I've been struggling a little bit. Glad to help the team win today, though."

(On his home run, which went over a segment of fence shorter than where his double hit) "I'd like to take credit for being a smart hitter, but it was just that the ball was thrown in a spot whee I was able to hit it more to center."

(On having dealt with soreness in his surgically repaired left knee) "It's a funny game, ya know. You can go from feeling about as good as you've ever felt to about as bad as you've ever felt in about a week's time. But that's the way the game is; you can't get too high or too low. Thankfully, I was able to put a few good swings on the ball today and work on a few things that got me right."

(On taking his dad's advice to the plate) "I'm glad I talked to him before the game, I'll tell you that much. He's been my best coach my whole life. He knows what I need to hear. I definitely wouldn't be here without him, so on this Father's Day I was thankful to be able to get a couple big hits. "

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