IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Indians, Clippers Split Twin Bill

Published on August 27, 2007 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS -- Right-hander John Van Benschoten fired a seven-inning, complete-game shutout, while right fielder Brad Eldred went 3-for-3 with a two-run homer as Indianapolis cruised to a 7-0 win over Columbus in game one of Monday night's doubleheader at Victory Field. The Clippers responded with a 3-0 blanking of the Indians in the nightcap.

Indianapolis moves to 68-68 on the season and 37-30 at home, while Columbus is now 61-75 overall and 28-38 on the road. Tuesday will be the Indians 281st consecutive day with a record of .500 or better.

Buffalo (73-62) leads the International League's Wild Card race over Richmond (72-62, 0.5 GB), Rochester (74-64, 0.5 GB) and Indianapolis (68-68, 5.5 GB).

Van Benschoten (7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 SO) improved to 10-6 in the first complete-game shutout of his seven-year professional career. It was also his seventh quality start of 2007.

The Indians cracked the scoreboard in the fourth of game one when 2B Yurendell de Caster (3-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI) smacked his team-leading 24th double to left before Eldred clobbered his 15th dinger of the campaign -- two-run shot to left.

The Tribe added five runs in the sixth. De Caster highlighted the frame with a two-run single to left, while PR Don Kelly, 1B Steven Pearce, 3B Neil Walker and De Caster each crossed the plate in the big inning.

Clippers LHP Matt Chico (5.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO) fell to 1-1 with the game-one loss.

Columbus scored a run in its first, fourth and sixth at-bats for the game-two victory.

Clippers CF Ryan Langerhans doubled to center, moved to third on a groundout and raced home on 3B Brent Abernathy's single to center in the first. C Brandon Harper scored on a throwing error in the fourth and 1B Lance Broadway (2-for-3, 1 R, 1 RBI) hammered his 11th long ball of the season over the right-field wall in the sixth.

Columbus RHP Jonathan Albaladejo (1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO) entered in the fifth and improved to 3-0 with the win. RHP Winston Abreu (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 SO) was credited with his 11th hold, while RHP Chris Booker (1.0 IP, 2 SO) notched his 30th save.

Indianapolis RHP Jesse Chavez (3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 SO) was pinned with the game-two loss, falling to 3-3 in his first start since 2004.

The teams return to Victory Field on Tuesday at 7 p.m., for game three of the five-game set. RHP Beltran Perez is scheduled to start for Columbus, while LHP Michael Tejera is expected to get the nod for Indianapolis.

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

Buy-One, Get-One-Free coupons are available for Tuesday's game at several Indianapolis area establishments courtesy of Budweiser. Fans can visit the promotions page of IndyIndians.com for a list of locations.

Buy-One, Get-One-Free coupons are available for Wednesday's showdown at participating Kmart locations in Indianapolis, Brownsburg, Greenwood and Martinsville.

A family of four can enjoy Thursday's game and dinner at the ballpark for just $52 by purchasing a Ticketmaster Family pack. The package includes four box seats, four Indians hats, four hot dogs and four soft drinks. Family packs must be purchased through IndyIndians.com or Ticketmaster.

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International League Stories from August 27, 2007


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