IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Indians Shut Down Sox, 4-2

Published on June 10, 2010 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS -- Starting pitcher Daniel McCutchen allowed just one run on three hits and struck out seven over seven innings of work before three Tribe relievers combined to finish off the victory and lead the Indianapolis Indians over the Pawtucket Red Sox 4-2 on Thursday night at Victory Field.

With the win, Indianapolis' record improves to 34-27, while the loss drops Pawtucket to 27-34 on the season. The victory also gives the Indians the 3-0 series lead and pushes their record to 6-1 against the PawSox this season.

McCutchen (7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO) earned the victory to improve to 4-3 on the season, while his seven punchouts were a new personal season best. Relievers Vinnie Chulk (1.0 IP, 1 H), Justin Thomas (0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 SO) and Wil Ledezma (0.1 IP) finished off the win with Chulk and Thomas earning their fourth and fifth holds respectively and Ledezma coming through with his fifth save.

Pawtucket made things interesting in the ninth as they put the game-tying runs on second and third with two outs and pinch-hitter Aaron Bates at the plate, however, Ledezma would induce the game-ending pop out to propel the Indians to their season-best fourth straight victory at home.

Indianapolis gave McCutchen the early advantage as DH Brandon Jones drew a one-out walk, moved to third on a base hit by 3B Pedro Alvarez and came around to score on a clutch two-out double by RF Brandon Moss.

Pawtucket, however, evened the score when SS Angel Sanchez led of the fourth with a base hit, moved to third on a double by RF Daniel Nava and eventually came around to score on a groundout by LF Ryan Kalish.

Tribe LF Kevin Melillo then gave the Indians the 2-1 lead the following frame when he blasted a solo shot to right field with one out for his fourth longball of the season. Melillo continues to be red-hot at Victory Field this season as he is now batting .323 (22-for-68) with 11 runs, seven doubles, two home runs and six RBI in 19 games.

Indianapolis would later add two important insurance runs in the eighth, as for the second time in the contest, Alvarez and Moss reached second and third by way of a single and double, before Alvarez trotted home on a base hit by C Luke Carlin and Moss eventually came around to score on a fielder's choice off the bat of 2B Doug Bernier. With his run scored, Alvarez has now scored eight runs over his last six games, while Moss has begun to turn things around with five doubles and five RBI over his last five games.

The PawSox would get a run back in the ninth as C Dusty Brown and LF Ryan Kalish each lined one-out singles to left and DH Tug Hulett drew a hit-by a pitch to load the bases, before 3B Jorge Jimenez came through with a hard hit sacrifice fly to center to plate Brown.

For Indianapolis, Melillo (2-for-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI), Alvarez (2-for-3, 1 R) and Moss (2-for-4, 1 R, 2 2B, 1 RBI) all collected multiple hits, while only 2B Niuman Romero (2-for-4) turned in a multi-hit effort for Pawtucket.

Pawtucket starter Michael Bowden (4.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO) allowed two runs on six hits over 4.2 innings of work to fall to 1-3 on the season, while reliever Fabio Castro (1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER) allowed the Indians' two tallies in the eighth to see his ERA balloon to 7.04 on the season.

Indianapolis looks for its first four-game sweep of the season when they take on Pawtucket in the series finale on Friday, June 11 at 7:15 p.m. RHP Hayden Penn is expected to get the call for the Indians, while RHP Randor Bierd is the probable starter for the PawSox.

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 6:55 p.m.

Check out the Indianapolis Indians Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



International League Stories from June 10, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central