IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Game Information: Indianapolis Indians (31-21) vs. Gwinnett Stripers (32-23)

June 2, 2019 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


The Indians seek their seventh straight series victory this afternoon in the rubber game against the Stripers.

Location: Victory Field

First Pitch: 1:35 p.m. ET

Game #53 / Home #29: Indianapolis Indians (31-21) vs. Gwinnett Stripers (32-23)

Probables: RHP Mitch Keller (5-0, 3.45) vs. RHP Patrick Weigel (0-0, 2.70)

Radio: Fox Sports 97.5 / AM 1260 / iHeart app

TV: MiLB TV / Comcast 90

LAST NIGHT: The Indians overcame an early 3-0 deficit thanks to home runs by Jason Martin (solo), Eric Wood (two-run) and Jake Elmore (solo), but the Tribe couldn't complete the comeback in a 7-6, 10-inning loss to the Stripers on Saturday. After Will Craig sent the game to extras with an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth, the visitors plated two runs in the 10th, one on an Adam Duvall double and another on a single by Alex Jackson. Indy kept fighting in the bottom half, despite having its first two batters retired by Wes Parsons. Trayvon Robinson kept the game alive with a single and Ke'Bryan Hayes followed suit with an RBI single into shallow center that brought the Tribe within one. With two men in scoring position, Parsons struck out Nick Franklin to seal Indy's fate and even the series at one game apiece. Jung Ho Kang had three hits for the Tribe and Martin finished 2-for-3 with his fifth home run and two runs scored.

TODAY: Right-hander Mitch Keller (5-0, 3.45) gets the nod for Indy today against righty Patrick Weigel (0-0, 2.70). Keller's last start came with Pittsburgh in Cincinnati for his major league debut. He gave up six runs in the first inning, including a grand slam to Jose Iglesias, before settling in with three scoreless innings after the rough start. Keller is one of three pitchers in the IL with five wins, and he also ranks third in ERA and is tied for fifth in punchouts (56). Weigel, 24, has not tossed more than 4.0 innings in any of his nine starts this year as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery that took place in the summer of 2017. Four starts prior to tearing his UCL, Weigel tossed 5.0 shutout innings against Indy at Victory Field. He was taken by Atlanta in the seventh round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft out of Houston.

SEVEN STRAIGHT ON THE LINE: The Indians and Stripers play the rubber game of their series today. Indy has won six consecutive series -- a two-game sweep in Lehigh Valley, two of three against both Scranton/WB and Norfolk, a three-game sweep in Louisville, three of four at Columbus and two of three against Charlotte.

CRAIG IN RIGHT: Will Craig made his first professional appearance in the outfield last night, starting in right field and cleaning up. Before moving to first base in the sixth inning, Craig caught both flyballs hit his way, including a ball deep in the right field corner. The Pirates are expanding on Craig's role with Josh Bell holding down the fort at first base for Pittsburgh. Craig is tied for second in the IL with 15 home runs, eight of which came in the month of May. He recorded his 39th RBI with a game-tying single in the ninth inning last night, moving him into a tie for third in the IL.

GAME OF INCHES: Over 70 percent (37-of-52, 71.2%) of Indy's games have been decided by three runs or less this year, and the Tribe are 22-15 in those games, including an 11-7 mark in one-run ballgames. Last year, exactly 60 percent (84-of-140) of Indy's games were within three runs. The Tribe went 41-43 in those contests and struggled in one-run games (14-24).

BULLPEN BITS: Indy's bullpen has dominated on the homestand with a 0.92 ERA (2er/19.2ip). Jake Brentz and Michael Feliz each tossed 2.0 shutout frames in relief of Cam Vieaux last night before Sean Keselica surrendered two runs (one earned) in the extra frame. For the season, Indy's relief corps ranks sixth in the league with a 4.45 ERA (95er/192.ip). The Indians also lead the league with 21 saves. Ten different Tribe pitchers have notched at least one save, led by Dovydas Neverauskas with five and Brentz with four.

FELIZ FEELIN' IT: Michael Feliz tossed 2.0 shutout innings with three strikeouts last night to lower his ERA to 1.38 (2er/13.0ip) in nine appearances for the Indians this year. He has piled up 17 strikeouts against seven walks, as well. Feliz is one of five Tribe relievers with a sub-2.00 ERA, joining Jake Brentz (1.88), Montana DuRapau (0.55), Tyler Lyons (1.86) and Dovydas Neverauskas (1.80).

LOVE THE LEFTY: Tribe left-handed reliever Jake Brentz has dominated since his promotion from Altoona earlier this month. He is 4-for-4 in save chances and has a 1.88 ERA (3er/14.1ip). Brentz has racked up 20 punchouts against just one walk in Triple-A. In 26.0 innings combined between Altoona and Indy, Brentz has a sparkling 1.38 ERA (4er), 33 strikeouts, four walks and a .174 average against.

GRITS: Overall, the Indians have had a great deal of success against the IL South. Since joining the IL in 1998, Indy is 453-400 (.531) against IL South opponents. They are 10-8 against the South this year. Since becoming Pittsburgh's Triple-A affiliate in 2005, Indy has finished at or above .500 in 13 of 14 seasons against the South, with the only sub-.500 season coming last year (14-19).

Check out the Indianapolis Indians Statistics



International League Stories from June 2, 2019


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