IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Indians Clipped By Columbus 6-1

Published on April 21, 2010 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS -- Designated hitter Shelley Duncan and shortstop Jason Donald each blasted two-run home runs and starter Jeanmar Gomez allowed one run in 5.2 innings to lead the Columbus Clippers to a 6-1 win over the Indianapolis Indians on Wednesday afternoon at Victory Field.

The loss drops the Indians to 5-9, while the win improves the Clippers record to 9-5. With the victory, Columbus splits the short two-game series with the Tribe at one game apiece and has tied the season series with Indianapolis at 3-3.

With two outs in the top half of the second inning, Duncan stepped to the plate with C Damaso Espino standing at first base after drawing a walk with two men down. Indianapolis starter Jeremy Powell worked the count full to Duncan, before the 2009 International League MVP crushed the sixth pitch of the at-bat to left field for a two-run home run.

The Indians scored a single run in the home half of the fourth inning on an RBI single by 3B Pedro Alvarez that brought home DH Brian Myrow, who doubled to lead off the frame and moved to third on an error by the centerfielder.

The Clippers quelled any thoughts of an Indians' rally with three more runs in the top half of the fifth to take a commanding 5-1 lead. In an inning that saw the first four Columbus batters reach base via a hit, CF Jose Constanza led off the frame with a triple down the right field line and scored one batter later on an RBI single by LF Michael Brantley. After Brantley's RBI base knock, SS Jason Donald crushed a two-run homer to right-center to give the Clippers a 5-1 lead.

Columbus tacked on an insurance run in the seventh inning, when Brantley singled home Constanza, who kicked off the frame with a triple down the right field line.

1B Steve Pearce (2-for-3) and 2B Neil Walker (2-for-3, 2 SB) were the only Indianapolis batters to record multiple hits on the afternoon. LF Jose Tabata's hitless afternoon (0-for-4) snapped his season-long 11 game hitting streak, but the outfielder reached on a fielder's choice to extend his on-base streak to 12 consecutive games. For Columbus, Espino (2-for-2, 2 runs), Duncan (2-for-2, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI) and Donald (1-for-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI) collected five of the Clippers nine hits and accounted for four of the clubs six runs.

Clippers RHP Gomez (5.2 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 SO) earned the win after tossing 5.2 IP of one run, seven strikeout ball, while Indians' RHP Powell (4.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 2 SO) was saddled with the loss after he allowed two home runs and five total runs in 4.0 innings of work. The Columbus bullpen held the Tribe to two hits in 3.1 innings of scoreless relief, while Indianapolis righty Brian Bass (3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB) turned in three solid innings of work out of the pen.

The Indians now begin a short three-game series against the Louisville Bats on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. RHP Aroldis Chapman is scheduled to start for Louisville, while RHP Chris Jakubauskas is expected to get the nod for Indianapolis.

Chapman, who owns a 100+ MPH fastball, made national headlines last winter when he signed with the Cincinnati Reds. He is regarded by Baseball America as one of the top prospects in all of professional baseball. The Cuban left hander will be making his third start of the season after posting a 0-1 record, 0.93 ERA and 10 strikeouts over 9.2 innings in two starts this season.

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.

Post-game quotes -- UTIL Neil Walker

(on the team's 6-1 loss today)

"I thought our performance was pretty good besides the fact that we couldn't score a lot of runs today as a team. I just tried to do what I could to help us win."

(on the Indians quick start in the stolen base category)

"I think you can attribute it to us just being aware when we get on base and paying attention to the pitcher's habits. Whether the pitcher is slow or fast at the plate or throwing in the dirt, we just try to take advantage when we can. We just really want to be on our toes and take advantage of any opportunity."

(on his success at the plate this season)

"I am just trying to relax at the plate and trust my ability. I just go out there, compete and work hard, which is all I can really put towards it."

(on his versatility defensively)

"It has been good for the organization and has been good for me down the road. To be able to play seven, eight or nine positions is something that adds value. It also helps an organization that is in the National League, where you need bench guys to remain versatile and that's what I am trying to do. I am getting the extra work and going at it as hard as I can to learn on the fly and help where I can."

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