IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Indians Shut Down Toledo 2-1

Published on August 8, 2011 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis starter Justin Wilson, along with relievers Jared Hughes, Justin Wilson and Tim Wood combined to hold Mud Hens hitters to a lone unearned run on just three hits, while third baseman Matt Hague drove in what turned out to be the winning run in the fifth, to lead the Indians to a 2-1 victory over Toledo on Monday evening at Fifth Third Field.

With the win, Indianapolis improves their record to 61-56 on the year, while the defeat drops Toledo to a 54-63 mark. The victory also gives the Indians a 3-2 lead in the home/road series with the Mud Hens, while evening the season series at 7-7.

Indians starter Sean Gallagher (4.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 6 BB, 2 SO) did not figure in the decision after giving up just an earned run on just two hits in 4.2 frames, while the relief corps of Hughes, Wilson and Wood shut the door from there. Hughes (1.1 IP, 2 BB) earned the win to improve to 3-1 on the year, while Wilson (2.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 SO) received his first hold and Wood (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 SO) notched his team-leading 23rd save of the season.

Mud Hens starting pitcher Thad Weber (9.0 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 SO) was impressive as well, suffering the loss despite giving up just two earned runs on eight hits in a nine-inning complete game effort. It was the fifth complete game of Weber's career, and his first since August 10, 2010.

After both offenses were held in check through four frames, Toledo took the game's first lead with a two-out tally in the fifth. With two outs, SS Danny Worth drew a free pass and advanced to third on a single by C Max St. Pierre, before coming across on an Indians miscue to give the Mud Hens a 1-0 advantage.

Indianapolis then countered with a pair of scores in the subsequent inning to switch the lead. DH Jose Tabata, who is with the Indians on a Major League rehab assignment, got the rally started with a double to right, before being driven home by SS Jordy Mercer's single, which drew the contest even. All-Star 3B Matt Hague then gave the Tribe the lead with an RBI double to left that plated Mercer and put the game in Indianapolis' favor.

Toledo threatened in the bottom half of the sixth when the first two batters reached base, but were unable to come through. DH Ryan Strieby and 3B Brandon Inge began the frame with back-to-back walks, however the Indians were able to throw out Strieby at third on RF Ben Guez's sacrifice bunt attempt, before inducing an inning-ending double play to thwart the potential peril.

The Mud Hens would also make things interesting in the bottom of the ninth, when they once again put the tying run in scoring position and the winning run at first. Once again, the Tribe were able to thwart the Toledo threat, with Wood able to force a fly out and pop out to end the contest.

Indians LF John Bowker (2-for-4) and 2B Josh Harrison (2-for-4, 1 2B) were the only two hitters for either side to record two hits, with each extending their impressive on-base streaks. Bowker has reached base in each of his last 21 road contests, while Harrison has gotten on in 20 of his last 21 overall. Hague's double in the fifth also increased his on-base stretch to 17 straight games.

It was another close victory for Indianapolis, as ten of their last 13 wins have been decided by just one run. 21 of the Tribe's last 27 games have finished with a margin of three runs or less, with Indianapolis recording a 15-6 mark in those close contests.

Indianapolis and Toledo will finish their six-game home/road series on Tuesday night, with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 p.m. LHP Fu-Te Ni is scheduled to take the mound for the Mud Hens, while RHP Ross Ohlendorf is expected to get the ball for Indianapolis as part of his Major League rehab assignment.

The contest will be carried on WNDE 1260 AM, WNDE.com and via iheartradio, a mobile application for iPhone, Blackberry and Android phones, with Scott McCauley on the call. The pre-game show begins at 6:40 p.m.

Post-game quotes -- SS Jordy Mercer

(on scoring from first base on 3B Matt Hague's double)

"I knew it was down the line and I immediately had the mindset to score. There were two outs and I was the go ahead run. You got to score there."

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International League Stories from August 8, 2011


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