IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Indians Rally Past Yankees 4-2 for Sixth Straight Win

Published on June 22, 2012 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Indians plated three runs in the bottom of the eighth on three straight two-out hits by catcher Tony Sanchez, third baseman Brian Friday and shortstop Chase d'Arnaud, while starting pitcher Justin Wilson allowed just one hit over six innings as the Tribe rallied past the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees 4-2 in front of 13,366 on Friday night at Victory Field.

Despite a brilliant start from Wilson the Indians found themselves trailing 2-1 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning. DH Jeff Clement then led off the frame with a base-on-balls and after he was replaced by pinch-runner Eric Fryer, RF Brandon Boggs singled to put runners on first and second.

After a strikeout, Sanchez stepped to the plate and roped a single to center to plate Fryer and even the score at 2-2. It was Sanchez's second career Triple-A RBI and set the stage for Friday, who earlier in the game extended his team-best hitting streak to 11 games.

Friday would reach on an infield single to load the bases for d'Arnaud, who came to the plate looking for his first hit on the evening. d'Arnaud would deliver the game-winning hit with a single to right to plate both Boggs and Sanchez and give the game its final score of 4-2.

The Indians three-run rally in the eighth came in support of Tribe starter Justin Wilson (6.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 SO), who despite not earning the victory turned in yet another brilliant performance. The southpaw starter turned in almost exactly the same line as his most recent start in Charlotte on June 17, when he also allowed just one run on one hit over six innings, but did not figure in the final decision.

Overall, in his last three starts Wilson is now 1-0 with a miniscule 0.95 ERA (2 ER in 19.0 IP) having allowed just six hits and six walks while striking out 19 in 19.0 innings pitched. The defending International League Pitcher of the Week continues to lead the Indians with 81 strikeouts in 80.2 innings pitched this season.

Scranton broke up Wilson and the Indians no-hit and shutout bid in the top half of the sixth inning, when after back-to-back two out walks LF Ronnier Mustelier singled to center to plate RF Kevin Russo and give the Yankees a 1-0 lead. The Indians would, however, respond with a score of their own in the bottom half of the sixth, when CF Startling Marte drew a walk to lead-off the frame, moved to second on base hit by DH Jeff Clement, advanced to third on a groundout and came plateward on a sacrifice fly by Boggs.

The Yankees would take back a short lived lead in the top half of the eighth inning when CF Chris Dickerson reached on a bunt infield single, stole second and came home on a base hit by Russo. However, Indians reliever Daniel Moskos (2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 SO) would induce a double play ball to end the threat on his way to earning the victory and improving to 1-2 on the season. Tribe closer Tim Wood (1.0 IP) then came on and finished off the victory with a perfect ninth to notch his team-leading ninth save of the season.

Scranton starter Ramon Ortiz (7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 SO) did not figure in the final decision despite striking out seven and surrendering just a single score over seven strong innings. Former Indians reliever Justin Thomas (0.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO) would suffer the loss and blown save for the Yankees to fall to 1-1 on the season after allowing all three of the Indians eighth inning scores.

With the victory the Indians have now won a season-best six straight contests and extended their advantage in the IL West Division to a season-high 10.5 games after second-place Columbus fell to Lehigh Valley 9-4. The Tribe and Yankees will continue their series on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. with RHP Rick VandenHurk expected to take the mound for Indianapolis and RHP John Maine scheduled to start for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The contest will be televised on HTSN (Hometown Sports and News), available via cable or over-the-air on digital channel 6.2. The game will also be carried on WNDE 1260 AM-WFBQ-HD2, WNDE.com and via iheartradio, a mobile application for iPhone, Blackberry and Android phones with Howard Kellman and Will Flemming on the call. The pre-game show begins at 6:45 p.m.

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International League Stories from June 22, 2012


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