Indians Defeat Durham 7-5
July 9, 2005 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release
INDIANAPOLIS -- First baseman Brad Eldred belted a two-run homer in the bottom of the second, while catcher Ronny Paulino went 3-for-4 with one score and three RBI as Indianapolis registered to its fourth straight victory -- a 7-5 decision over Durham -- in front of 12,155 Saturday night at Victory Field.
The Indians improve to 52-37 with the win, while the Bulls fall to 40-50 on the season.
Durham opened the scoring with a run in the top of the first. 2B Brooks Badeaux roped a single to left center and RF Darnell McDonald smacked a double down the right-field line before Badeaux came plateward on a fielder's choice.
Eldred gave Indianapolis a lead it would not relinquish in the bottom of the second, smoking a two-run homer to left field. Paulino scored ahead of Eldred after extending his hitting streak to 11 games with a double to left center. 2B Cesar Crespo then plated the Tribe's third run of the frame, scoring on a passed ball after drilling a single up the middle and moving from first to third on a wild pick-off attempt.
The Indians padded their advantage with a run in the third. CF Chris Duffy and 3B Ty Wigginton led off with back-to-back walks before Paulino delivered an RBI single through the left side.
1B Josh Phelps brought the Bulls to within one with a two-run dinger to left field in the top of the fourth. Phelps added his second roundtripper of the night and sixth of the campaign -- another two-run shot, this time to right field -- in the visitor's half of the eighth. Phelps finished the evening 2-for-4.
Indianapolis rounded out its scoring with a three spot in the bottom of the fourth. SS Alfredo Amezaga singled through the left side and Duffy followed with a base knock to center. RF Yurendell de Caster then tagged an RBI single to right center before Paulino came through with a two-run single up the middle. De Caster, who was recognized prior to the game for being the Tribe's June Player of the Month, finished 2-for-4 with one run and one RBI.
Indians LHP Cory Stewart (7.1 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO) earned the win, evening his record at 6-6. Tribe RHP Neal McDade (0.2 IP, 1 H) faced three batters in the eighth, while RHP Mark Corey (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 SO) worked a scoreless ninth for his 16th save of the campaign.
Durham southpaw Jon Switzer (3.2 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 1 SO) was tagged with the loss, falling to 0-5.
The two teams return to Victory Field Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m., for the final game of the brief two-game set. The contest will be carried by ESPN-950 AM as Howard Kellman and Robert Portnoy have the call. Sunday's pre-game show begins at 1:40 p.m. The first 4,000 fans receive an Aaron Boone Bobblehead courtesy of Fox 59, Pepsi and Q-95.
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