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IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Indians Use Thrilling Ninth to Defeat Durham

July 31, 2007 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS -- Left fielder Michael Ryan, right fielder Brad Eldred and pinch hitter Jose Hernandez all belted home runs in a five-run bottom of the ninth to give Indianapolis a thrilling 5-3 win over Durham in front of 9,827 Tuesday evening at Victory Field.

The Indians improve to 55-54 overall and 32-25 at home, while the Bulls fall to 59-51 on the season and 30-26 on the road. Wednesday will be the Tribe's 254th consecutive day with a record of .500 or better.

Ryan, Eldred and Hernandez helped pull off the improbable comeback in the home team's final at-bat. Ryan's team-leading 14th roundtripper of the year was a solo blast to right, while Eldred's 11th dinger was a two-run shot inside the right-field foul pole and Hernandez's ninth bomb was a two-run job to left center.

Indianapolis has now clobbered 23 homers in 20 games since the All-Star Break (1.15 per game). The recent flurry comes after the Tribe launched just 61 long balls in its first 89 contests (0.69 per game).

The Tribe's "walk-off" win was its first since July 20 and sixth of the season. Indianapolis also registered five hits in the ninth after collecting just three base knocks over the first eight frames.

Indians RHP Brian Rogers (1.2 IP, 3 SO) picked up his first win in two decisions this season, while Bulls RHP Chad Orvella (1.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 SO) was charged with his third blown save and fell to 2-1 with the loss.

Neither starter -- Durham LHP J.P. Howell (7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 12 SO) or Indianapolis RHP Bryan Bullington (7.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO) -- figured in the decision. Howell (8) and Bullington (9) have now combined for 17 quality starts in 2007. Howell also established a new season high for strikeouts in his seven-inning gem.

The visitors jumped out to a 3-0 advantage midway through the affair. LF Jon Weber opened the second with a triple to center and raced home on DH Wes Bankston's sacrifice fly. Then, in the fifth, C Josh Johnson whacked a two-run homer to left after 3B Brent Butler reached on a base knock to center.

J. Johnson (2-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBI) and Butler (2-for-4, 1 R) notched multi-hit games for the Bulls, while 1B Steven Pearce (2-for-3, 1 R) and Eldred (2-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBI) recorded more than one base knock for the Indians.

Indianapolis will play 18 of its next 23 contests on the road, beginning with Wednesday's 6 p.m. doubleheader at Richmond.

Indianapolis RHP Runelvys Hernandez and Richmond RHP Kevin Barry are the probable starters for game one on Wednesday, while Indians RHP John Van Benschoten and Braves RHP Tanyon Sturtze are expected to do battle in the nightcap.

The twinbill will be carried by ESPN-950 AM and IndyIndians.com with Howard Kellman and Scott McCauley. The pre-game show begins at 5:40 p.m.

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