IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Indians Beat Out Braves 5-2

Published on May 25, 2009 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- Starting pitcher Virgil Vasquez struck out six in scoreless innings to pick up the victory and center fielder Andrew McCutchen went 3-for-4 and scored two runs as the Indianapolis Indians defeated the Gwinnett Braves 5-2 on Monday evening at Gwinnett Stadium.

With the win the Indians improve to 21-22 overall and 12-10 on the road, while the loss drops the Braves to 24-21 on the season and 11-12 at home. The Tribe collected the victory in their first ever trip to Gwinnett Stadium and gives them a 1-0 season series edge over the Braves.

For the second straight start Vasquez (6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 SO) was brilliant, allowing just one run on four hits, while striking out six and walking none in six innings of work. With the win, Vasquez improves to 4-2 on the season and has now posted a 1.29 ERA (2 ER in 14 innings) with nine strike outs and zero walks over his last two starts.

Vasquez also remained hot at the plate as he drew a walk in his first at-bat to help key the Tribe's four-run third inning. McCutchen followed Vasquez's base-on-balls with a base hit and both moved up a base on a wild pitch by Gwinnett.

Following the wild pitch, 2B Shelby Ford collected the key hit of the rally, when he ripped a triple to right field that plated both McCutchen and Vasquez. LF Jeff Salazar then roped a single to bring home Ford, before 3B Neil Walker lifted a two-out double to bring home Salazar and give the Tribe a commanding 4-1 lead.

McCutchen used his blazing speed to collect two infield singles and score an amazing run in the eighth inning. After McCutchen led of the eighth with a single and moved to second on a Ford groundout, he broke for third to try and steal a base and was able to come around and score from second on a soft infield groundout by Salazar.

McCutchen (3-for-4, 2 R) also collected the only multi-hit game for the Tribe, while both Ford (1-for-4,1 R, 2 RBI) and Salazar (1-for-3, 1 R, 2 RBI) knocked in multiple runs.

Gwinnett's Barbaro Canizares (2-for-4, 1 R) turned in the only multi-hit effort for the Braves and also scored the first run of the game in the second inning, when he led off the frame with a single and eventually trotted home a double by C Clint Sammons. The Braves would plate their second run in the ninth inning, when LF Brian Barton tripled and 3B Van Pope followed with a double off Tribe reliever Chris Bootcheck.

Outside of the single run give up by Bootcheck, the Tribe bullpen was dominant as RHP Denny Bautista (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 SO) and RHP Juan Mateo (1.0 IP, 1 SO) combined for two scoreless innings of relief.

Braves starter and former Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Todd Redmond (6.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO) allowed four runs in six innings to take the loss and drop to 2-4 on the season.

Though the Tribe's International League season best streak of 14 consecutive games with a double play came to an end on Monday evening, the Indians were able to collect two extra-base hits to extend their streak to 43 straight games with an extra-base hit to begin the season.

Indianapolis continues their four game series with Gwinnett on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. RHP Eric Hacker is scheduled to start for Indianapolis, while top prospect RHP Tommy Hanson is expected to get the nod for the Braves.

The contest will be carried by WXLW-950 AM and www.IndyIndians.com with Howard Kellman and Scott McCauley. The pre-game show begins at 6:40 p.m.

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Post-game quotes - OF Andrew McCutchen

(on his two infield singles)

"It always feels good to be able to get infield hits. Those type of hits can keep you out of a slump and not everyone can get them. Thankfully I can get those kind of hits and even when I am not feeling well at the plate I can always try and lay down a bunt or hit one softly on the ground."

(on the performance of starting pitcher Virgil Vasquez)

"Virgil is a really good pitcher and every time out he gives a great chance to win. It's been great because you can see that he is getting better and better. I believe if he can continue to do this he won't be here to much longer, but I hope we can keep him here as long as we can."

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International League Stories from May 25, 2009


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