IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Indians Down Durham 9-6

Published on May 12, 2011 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


DURHAM, N.C. -- Starting pitcher Justin Wilson earned the victory after tossing seven shutout innings, including 6.1 no-hit frames to begin the contest, while the Tribe offense pounded out a season-high 14 hits as the Indianapolis Indians gained the series split with the Durham Bulls with a 9-6 victory on Thursday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

The win improves Indianapolis' record to 12-23 this season, while the loss drops Durham's record to 21-14. With the victory the Indians gain a 2-2 series split with the Bulls to finish their eight-game road trip with a .500 record of 4-4.

In a battle of two of the top ERA's in the International League, Wilson (7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 5 BB, 3 SO) outdueled Bulls' starter Alex Torres (5.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 5 BB, 4 SO) to earn the victory and improve to 3-3 on the season. Though he walked five, Wilson did not allow a hit until a one out single by 2B J.J. Furmaniak in the seventh and was able to finish off the frame to pick up the win and lower his ERA to an impressive 2.36.

While Wilson shut down the Bulls bats, the Indians offense broke out of an offensive slump with nine runs on a season high 14 hits. The Tribe's 4-6 hitters led the offensive outburst as LF John Bowker (3-for-5, 2 R, 2 2B, 2 RBI), 1B Matt Hague (4-for-5, 2 R, 1 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBI) and 3B Josh Harrison (2-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBI) combined for nine hits, five runs and seven RBI.

The trio started the scoring in the second when Bowker doubled to right to lead-off the frame, moved to third on a single by Hague and came plateward on a sacrifice fly by Harrison. Hague and Harrison then extended the lead to 2-0 in the fourth when Hague ripped a lead-off triple and quickly trotted home on a Harrison base knock.

Harrison eventually came around to score as well in the fourth, when following a walk by C Dusty Brown and a sacrifice bunt by RF Andrew Lambo, SS Chase d'Arnaud lifted a sacrifice fly to center to extend the Indians advantage to 3-0. Indianapolis continued to add on to their lead in the sixth, sparked yet again by Harrison, who led off the frame with an infield single and eventually trotted home on a base hit by DH Corey Wimberly.

The Tribe would then put the game out of reach for good when they dropped a five-spot in the top of the eighth to take a commanding 9-0 lead. Following a one out base hit by d'Arnaud, Wimberly reached on a Durham error and CF Alex Presley legged out an infield single to load the bases.

This set the stage for Bowker and Hague, who came through with a two-run single and three-run longball to blow the game wide-open. The two-run base hit for Bowker gives the left handed slugger five RBI in five games since joining the Indians, while Hague's blast was his third on the season and improved his team best RBI total to 20 so far this season.

Hague's four base knocks tied Harrison for the Tribe's single game high this season, while Bowker's two two-baggers matches Hague for the most by an Indians' batter in a single contest this year. Along with the terrific trio, d'Arnaud (2-for-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB) also collected multiple hits for the Indians.

Durham did mount a valiant comeback as they plated six runs on seven hits over the final two frames, after collecting just one base knock in the first seven innings of the contest. RF Desmond Jennings and LF Justin Ruggiano got the Bulls on the board with back-to-back one out doubles in the eighth, before a passed ball and another double by 3B Felipe Lopez plated two more to push the score to 9-3.

The Bulls then made the game even more interesting with three more scores in the final frame. After a one out single by C Robinson Chirinos and a double by SS Ray Olmedo, LF Desmond Jennings launched a three-run home run to left field to pull the Bulls with-in three at 9-6.

With the three-run homer, Jennings (2-for-4, 2 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 BB) finished the night as the only Bulls batter to collect multiple base knocks, score multiple runs and drive in multiple RBI. After the three-run shot, Ruggiano drew a walk and pinch hitter Leslie Anderson put a charge into a ball that Presley tracked down against the wall in center, yet Tribe closer Tim Wood (0.2 IP) was able to record the final two outs of the contest to seal the victory for the Indians and earn his sixth save of the season.

Indianapolis now returns home for an eight game homestand beginning on Friday against the West Division leading Columbus Clippers at 7:15 p.m. The pitching matchup for the first Friday Night Fireworks contest of the season is scheduled to feature RHP Brad Lincoln for the Indians and LHP David Huff for the Clippers.

The contest will be carried on WNDE 1260 AM, WNDE.com and via iheartradio, a mobile application for iPhone, Blackberry and Android phones, while also being broadcast live on Comcast and Bright House Networks digital channel 81 with Howard Kellman and Scott McCauley on the call. The pre-game show begins at 6:55 p.m.

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Post-game quotes -- LHP Justin Wilson

(on he felt on the mound) "Truthfully, I felt a little shaky at first, just trying to find my way. I had to battle early, but felt comfortable later as I was able to get in the strike zone more and attack guys."

(on pitching with the lead) "It's always good to pitch with the lead. I think Dusty called a great game and I got outstanding defense, guys were diving all the over the place for me, which was awesome."

(on his plan of attack) "Really, I just wanted to attack guys My plan for the whole night was to try and get in the strike zone early and make them swing at my pitch. Once I settled in I felt pretty good."

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International League Stories from May 12, 2011


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