IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Indianapolis Quiets Columbus 5-0

Published on June 4, 2010 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS -- Right-handed pitcher Mike Crotta held the second-best offense in the International League scoreless through 5.1 innings of three-hit work and the Indianapolis Indians' bullpen maintained the starter's shutout effort as the Tribe grinded out a 5-0 win over the Columbus Clippers on Friday night at Victory Field.

With the win, Indianapolis improves its record to 29-26, while the loss drops Columbus to 35-21 on the season. Following the victory the Indians take a 4-3 season series edge over the West Division leading Clippers.

Crotta (5.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 SO), fresh off a 5.1 inning, one run performance against the Charlotte Knights on May 30, limited the hot-hitting Columbus Clippers to two singles and a double, while recording 13 of his 16 outs on the ground. The right-hander ran into a bit of trouble in the top half of the sixth inning, after surrendering a single and walk in the frame, but RHP Vinnie Chulk (0.2 IP, 0 R, 0 SO) quelled any notion of a Clipper comeback.

CF Michael Brantley singled with one out in the sixth, stole second and took third on a throwing error and 2B Brian Bixler walked to put runners at first and third, before Chulk strode to the mound looking to preserve the Indians' 2-0 advantage. Bixler promptly stole second to put the tying run at second base with just one out, but Chulk responded by striking out the dangerous two-some of C Carlos Santana and 1B Wes Hodges to end the threat and maintain the Tribe lead.

The combination of LHP Justin Thomas (2.0 IP, 0 R, 2 SO) and RHP Brian Bass (1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 SO) held the Clippers scoreless over the final three frames to close out the Indians' second consecutive shutout. The back-to-back shutouts marked the first time the Tribe pitching staff has completed the feat since June 12 and 13, 2009 against the Norfolk Tides.

The Tribe offense, bolstered by a second consecutive shutout, pounded out five runs on 10 hits to give Crotta and the bullpen a comfortable enough cushion to cruise to the victory.

Indianapolis jumped out to an early 1-0 edge in the home half of the second inning when 2B Brian Friday lined his third triple of the season to the left-center field gap to plate DH Brandon Moss, who had reached on a fielder's choice earlier in the frame.

The Indians doubled their lead to 2-0 with a one-out solo home run by RF Kevin Melillo in fifth inning, before the Tribe offense blew open a tightly-knit affair with three seventh inning runs to take the decisive 5-0 edge. SS Argenis Diaz kicked off the inning with a ringing single to center field and scored one batter later on a throwing error by Clippers' SS Anderson Hernandez.

Then, with one out and CF Jose Tabata standing at third, after the three-base throwing error, 1B Brian Myrow lined a base knock to left to send home Tabata before later coming around to score on a sacrifice fly by Carlin to up the Indians' advantage to 5-0.

With the win, Crotta evened his season record at 3-3, while Clippers' RHP Aaron Laffey (4.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO) was strapped with his first loss in his first Triple-A start of the 2010 campaign. Columbus reliever Jeremy Sowers (2.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 SO) allowed three runs on three hits, while Indians' relievers Chulk and Thomas earned their second and third holds of the season respectively.

Offensively, Melillo (2-for-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI), Myrow (2-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI) and 3B Pedro Alvarez (2-for-3, 1 2B, 1 BB) each recorded multiple hits for the Tribe, while four individual Clippers' batters collected one base knock apiece.

The Indians continue their four-game set with the Columbus Clippers on Saturday, June 5 at 7:00 p.m. RHP Daniel McCutchen is expected to get the nod for the Tribe, while RHP Jeanmar Gomez is the probable starter for the Clippers.

The contest will be carried by WXLW-950 AM and broadcast live on Comcast and Bright House Networks digital channel 81 with Howard Kellman and Scott McCauley on the call. The pre-game show on WXLW-950 AM begins at 6:40 p.m.

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International League Stories from June 4, 2010


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