Game Information: Indianapolis Indians (1-1) vs. Columbus Clippers (1-1)

April 8, 2018 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release

The Indians and Clippers conclude their three-game weekend series this afternoon at Victory Field. Indy went 21-18 in day games last season.

Location: Victory Field

First Pitch: 1:35 p.m. ET

Game #3/Home #3: Indianapolis Indians (1-1) vs. Columbus Clippers (1-1)

Probables: RHP Alex McRae vs. RHP Stephen Fife

Radio: Fox Sports 97.5 / AM 1260

TV: Comcast 90 / MiLB TV

From the Notes

SERIES ALL EVEN: The Indianapolis Indians slammed the Columbus Clippers 10-0 to even the series at one game apiece on Saturday night. Like his predecessor Nick Kingham, Tyler Eppler posted a 10-strikeout game in 5.2 innings pitched, and the offense erupted for 12 hits -- six going for extra bases. Kevin Newman talled three RBI from the leadoff spot, and Jacob Stallings continued his hot start with a 3-for-5 performance, scor-ing three times and driving home a pair of runs. Max Moroff reached base in each of his five trips to the plate (two hits, three walks). The bullpen looked much better in its second showing, as Richard Rodriguez and Tyler Jones combined for 3.1 innings of hitless baseball. Rodriguez struck out five of the seven batters he faced.

EPPLER EXCELLENT: Tyler Eppler had an excellent start to his 2017 campaign, going 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA in the month of April. He looked the part again last night, recording a career-high 10 punchouts in the shutout win. His success at Victory Field continued as well; last year, he went 6-1 with a 2.70 ERA in Circle City.

SHUT DOWN THE LEFTIES: Last year, left-handed batters hit a whopping .341 with nine home runs against Tyler Eppler. Last night, the Texas native held Columbus' left-handed hitters to an 0-for-9 showing with five strikeouts.

DIFFERENT NIGHT, SAME STORY: Five of Indianapolis' nine hits on Opening Night went for extra bases, and the slugging continued with six more extra-base hits last night. Two of Jacob Stallings' three knocks were dou-bles, and Max Moroff notched his third extra-base hit in two games with a triple to open up a five-run sixth.

SWEET 16: The Indians pitching staff has tallied 31 total strikeouts through the first two games of the season (15 on Opening Night, 16 on Saturday night), the most by a Tribe staff through their first two games of a season in the Victory Field Era (1996-present). Last year, Indy's staff recorded 15-plus strikeouts four times in 142 total games. They fanned 15 on 5/31 vs. Lehigh Valley, 16 on July 7 at Gwinnett, 15 on July 20 at Gwinnett and 19 on July 30 vs. Pawtucket.

CAN'T COOL MAX: Max Moroff is batting .800 (4-for-5, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 sacrifice fly) through the first two games of the season to pace the Indians. He also walked three times last night, leaving his on-base percent-age at a lofty .778. Moroff's OPS sits at an astounding 2.378.

EARLY RBI LEADER: Jacob Stallings tallied his second two-RBI game in as many nights in the 10-0 victory, leaving him in a tie with Columbus' Mike Napoli for the International League RBI leader.

SUP, KID: Today's starter, Alex McRae, will be making his Triple-A debut. The Allis, Wis. native celebrated his 25th birthday on Opening Night and is hoping for a belated gift with a win this afternoon. McRae has won each of his last three season-opening starts. He has gone 3-0 with a 1.20 ERA (2 ER/15.0 IP) in those previous starts combined, earning wins with Low-A West Virginia, High-A Bradenton and Double-A Altoona in succession.

400: Today's meeting is the 400th regular-season matchup between Indy and Columbus since 1988. Last night, the Tribe earned their 100th win over Columbus in 194 head-to-head games played in Circle City. The Clippers, winners of 10 Governors' Cup Championships, still lead the series over the Indians since 1988 with 207 wins and 192 losses.

International League Stories from April 8, 2018

• Roach, Bullpen Shut Out Bulls in Sunday's 5-0 Win - Charlotte Knights
• Bulls Offense Goes Quiet in Loss to Knights - Durham Bulls
• Gerber Powers Mud Hens to 2-1 Win over Bats - Toledo Mud Hens
• Bats Drop Rubber Match, 2-1 - Louisville Bats
• Pomeranz Rehabs in Pawtucket's 4-3 Win - Pawtucket Red Sox
• PawSox Hold on for Series Split vs. IronPigs - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
• Chiefs Drop Series Finale After Another Frantic Finish - Syracuse Mets
• Stewart's Walk-Off Homer Sinks Stripers - Gwinnett Stripers
• Torres' Four-Hit Game Leads RailRiders to 5-4 Victory - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
• Stewart's Walk-Off Blast Lifts Tides over Gwinnett - Norfolk Tides
• Game Information: Indianapolis Indians (1-1) vs. Columbus Clippers (1-1) - Indianapolis Indians
• Bruce Rondon Promoted to Chicago, Juan Minaya Optioned - Charlotte Knights
• Opening Day Weather Factoids - Rochester Red Wings
• LHV Game Notes 4-8 - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
• SWB RailRiders Game Notes - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
• Columbus Game Notes 4-8 - Columbus Clippers
• Red Wings Postponed (Again) - Game Tomorrow at 5:35 PM - Rochester Red Wings
• Still No Baseball: Bisons Postponed Sunday - Buffalo Bisons
• Red Wings, Bisons Postponed Sunday - Rochester Red Wings

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