Indians Two-Hit Buffalo to Stop Streak
Published on May 20, 2012 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Indianapolis Indians ended their five-game losing streak behind hurlers Rick VandenHurk, Tim Wood and Doug Slaten, who combined to hold Buffalo to just two hits, while catcher Jose Morales came through with two clutch RBI base hits to lead the Tribe over the Bisons 4-1 on Sunday afternoon at Coca-Cola Field.
After dropping five contests overall and seven consecutive on the road, the Indians would get back to what had made them so successful earlier this season as dominating pitching and clutch base knocks led them to a 4-1 victory on Sunday afternoon.
Called into action to make a spot start after LHP Jeff Locke was recalled by Pittsburgh earlier in the day, VandenHurk turned in a masterful effort against one of the International League's top offenses. The Netherlands native, VandenHurk (5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO), surrendered just one run on two hits and three walks to earn the victory and improve to 2-0 in two outings with the Tribe this season.
Following with an equally impressive effort on the mound for the Tribe was Wood (3.0 IP, 2 SO), who struck out two over three perfect innings of relief. Wood has thrived since being moved to the middle relief role on April 25, posting a 0.53 ERA (1 ER in 17.0 IP) with 15 strikeouts and just one walk over nine appearances.
Finally Tribe closer, Doug Slaten (1.0 IP) would toss a 1-2-3 final frame to nail down the victory for the Indians and earn his eighth save of the season. The Tribe closer has been nothing short of dominate this season having not allowed a run over his last 17 appearances or 19.1 innings, while earning eight saves in eight opportunities during that span.
Behind the plate for the Tribe's combined top notch pitching effort on Sunday was Morales, who also collected the Indians only two RBI with two clutch base knocks. With the scored tied 1-1 in the top of the second, 2B Jordy Mercer lined a one out single to left and stole second, before Morales brought him plateward for what turned out to be the game-winning tally.
Then in the seventh after the Indians scored an insurance run thanks to one of Buffalo's three errors on the afternoon, Morales would again bring home Mercer with an RBI base knock that gave the contest its final score of 4-1. With his 2-for-4, two RBI effort Morales has now reached base in all but two games in which he has played with the Indians this season, while Mercer made a welcome return to the lineup by reaching base in three of his four at-bats.
The game got off to a quick start when both teams exchanged single scores in the first thanks to efforts of two top level base stealers.
For the Indians, SS Chase d'Arnaud singled with one out in the first, stole second, moved to third on a throwing error on his steal attempt and sped home on a wild pitch. On the other side, former Tribe outfielder Cory Wimberly led off the bottom of the first with a base hit, stole second, moved to third on a groundout and proceeded to swipe home for what turned out to be the Bisons only score of the contest.
Pushed into a spot start along with VandenHurk, Buffalo starter Jack Egbert (2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 2-3 on the season, despite allowing just a single earned run in two innings of work.
Indianapolis (23-20) now looks to stay on the right track when they face off against Buffalo (26-18) in game three of the four-game series on Monday night at 7:05 p.m. RHP Daniel Cabrera is slated to take the mound for the Tribe, while the Bisons are expected to counter with former Indians LHP Garrett Olson.
The contest will 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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Post-game quotes -- 2B Jordy Mercer
(On the feeling of finally having another game-winning hand shake) "It felt good. We have been lacking that for a few games. It's good to have a little fun, hit the ball around the yard a little bit and score some runs. Just loosen up the clubhouse. It's pretty fun.
(On manager Dean Treanor keeping an even-keel and keeping the clubhouse loose) "It's all on us. We know how good we are and how good we can be. We went through a tough stretch there and now we are getting out of it."
(On starter Rick VandenHurk) "He was outstanding. Twice now he has been outstanding for us. The bullpen is a little thin and we need guys to come in and step up and eat some innings and he did that for us today."
(On closer Doug Slaten getting a 1-2-3 save) "He has been good. He has been good the whole year. His numbers speak for themselves. He pounds the zone, he gets quick outs and we like having him at the end of our bullpen."
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