Columbus Answers Indy's Three-Run Sixth With Five-Run Rally
Published on July 16, 2011 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A five-run sixth frame, highlighted by a lead off home run from Columbus designated hitter Nick Johnson and a two RBI double from second baseman Jason Kipnis, powered the Clippers to a 7-5 comeback victory over the Indianapolis Indians on Saturday night at Huntington Park.
With the loss, Indianapolis falls to 48-47 on the year, while the victory improves Columbus' record to 60-34in 2011. The Clippers with the win also lead the series 2-1, with the series finale set for Sunday evening.
After Indianapolis plated three runs in the top of the sixth to take a three-run lead, Columbus answered with a five score rally. Johnson led off the frame with his second longball of the year, while RF Chad Huffman walked, 1B Jared Goedert singled and C Michel Hernandez drew a base-on-balls to fill the bases for Kipnis. After Kipnis delivered with the two-run double to left to bring in Huffman and Goedert, SS Jason Donald knocked a single to center to bring home Hernandez and cap the comeback.
The Tribe had taken their first and only lead of the contest earlier that inning with a two-out rally. SS Jordy Mercer began the rally with a single and then took second on LF John Bowker's base knock before coming plateward when 3B Steve Pearce doubled off the wall in left to give the Indians a 3-2 lead. DH Pedro Alvarez would then send in both Bowker and Pearce with a base hit to center to push the Indians ahead 5-2.
Indianapolis tied the game in the third with a pair of two-out tallies. 2B Corey Wimberly doubled to center, stole third and then advanced home on a balk to cut the deficit to one, while Mercer laced the very next pitch over the left field wall to draw the contest even at 2-2. Mercer's homer was his third in a five game span and 16th overall this year, including the 13 he mashed with Double-A Altoona prior to his promotion on June 28.
Columbus struck first and plated a pair of scores in the opening frame to take an early 2-0 advantage. Free passes from Kipnis, Donald and CF Tim Fedroff loaded the bases, before Kipnis came across on a fielder's choice and Donald ran home on a sacrifice fly to left by LF Jerad Head.
Mercer (3-for-3, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 HBP) and Pearce (2-for-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI), each accumulated two or more hits for the Indians, while no Columbus hitters recorded a multi-hit game. Pearce, who was with Indianapolis on a Major League Rehab assignment, has now driven in a run in all three games he has played with the Tribe, including a home run in each of the two previous nights.
Indians starter Justin Wilson (5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO) did not receive a decision despite allowing just two earned runs on just three hits in five frames, while RHP Steven Jackson (1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB) suffered the loss and his second blown save after relinquishing two earned runs on two hits in his 1.2 frames.
Clippers RHP Justin Germano (5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 SO) also did not factor in the decision despite giving up just two earned runs on four hits in five frames of work, while relievers Chen Lee and Nick Hagadone combined to fire 3.1 no-hit innings in support of Germano. Lee (1.2 IP, 1 BB, 2 SO) earned the victory to improve to 2-0 on the year, while Hagadone (1.2 IP, 1 SO) notched his second save of the season.
Indianapolis and Columbus conclude their four-game series Sunday night, with first pitch scheduled for 5:05 p.m. LHP Garrett Olson is scheduled to take the mound for the Tribe, while the Clippers are counter with RHP Joe Martinez.
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 4:45 p.m.
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