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IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Indians walk off to 3-2 win over Braves

May 15, 2008 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS -- Center fielder Andrew McCutchen sliced an RBI single down the right-field line with one out in the bottom of the 11th to give Indianapolis a 3-2 win over Richmond in front of 9,790 Thursday afternoon at Victory Field.

Pinch-hitter Neil Walker opened the 11th with a triple to left and came around to score on McCutchen's walk-off base knock. The game-winning hit also snapped a four-game losing streak for the Tribe.

The Indians improve to 20-22 overall and 10-11 at home, while the International League South Division-leading Braves fall to 22-18 overall and 9-11 on the road.

Neither starter -- Indians RHP Ty Taubenheim (7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO) or Braves LHP Damian Moss (4.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 SO) -- figured in the decision.

Taubenheim went seven innings for the third consecutive start and lowered his ERA at Victory Field to 2.68. The right-hander also plated 2B Matt Kata in the sixth with an RBI single up the middle. The base knock was the first for an Indians pitcher in 28 at-bats this season.

Kata started the Tribe's scoring with a double to right center in the sixth, which brought home 1B Craig Wilson, who led off the inning with a two-bagger of his own.

Every Indians starter recorded at least one base knock on the afternoon. McCutchen (3-for-4, 1 RBI), LF Nyjer Morgan (2-for-5) and RF Steve Pearce (2-for-5) all turned in multi-hit efforts.

SS Jack Wilson went 1-for-3 with a single in game one of his Major League rehabilitation stint with the Tribe. The Pirates middle infielder strained his left calf in a game on April 3.

Indianapolis RHP Matt Miller (0.1 IP, 1 SO) improved to 1-2 with the win, while Richmond RHP Zach Schreiber (0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB) fell to 2-2 with the loss. RHP T.J. Beam (2.2 IP, 2 H, 5 SO) recorded a season high in strikeouts and innings for the Indians.

Richmond jumped out to an early lead when CF Josh Anderson led off the game with a single, advanced to third on a double by 3B Wes Timmons and came home on a sacrifice fly by 1B Barbaro Canizares.

Braves pinch-hitter Joe Borchard later tied the game at two with a solo homer in the eighth inning.

Timmons (2-for-3) recorded Richmond's only multi-hit performance.

The teams finish up their four-game series on Friday at 7:15 p.m. RHP Matt DeSalvo is scheduled to start for Richmond, while RHP John Van Benschoten is expected to get the nod for Indianapolis.

Van Benschoten is making his first start for the Tribe since being optioned from Pittsburgh on May 13. The right-hander was 4-0 with a 1.88 ERA in four starts for the Indians before his promotion.

The contest will be carried by WXLW-950 AM and www.IndyIndians.com with Howard Kellman and Scott McCauley. The pre-game show begins at 6:55 p.m.

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Post-game quotes -- INF Jack Wilson

(what have the past six weeks been like for you?) "The last six weeks have been pretty frustrating because I love playing baseball and I'm passionate about being a Pirate. I don't think I've ever missed more time than a week or week and a half. What's helped a little bit is the big club has been playing well. When they were struggling early in my rehab, I was calling and text messaging the guys all the time. You want to be there for your teammates, but there isn't a whole lot you can do from the disabled list. They've been playing a lot better over the past couple of weeks so that's been great."

(has the leg injury prevented you from everyday activities?) "It's tough to have an injury in your leg when you can't be too mobile. I'm a high-energy guy, and I haven't been able to do much lately. It was nice to work with a lot of younger players in Extended (Spring Training). That experience brought back some memories of when I was beginning my professional career. There were a lot of positives in working with and talking to those guys."

(how did you feel at the plate and on the bases?) "It was good to get the first-inning single, and run the bases a little bit. I have to be patient because it's going to take a while to get my timing back. I took a few swings today (Thursday) that were a little long."

(how did you feel playing shortstop?) "I can't seem to find a ground ball (laughing). I was playing (in Extended Spring Training) down in Florida, and I couldn't get a ground ball down there either. With a night game tomorrow (Friday), I plan to do a lot of early work with (Manager) Trent (Jewett) and the guys here (in Indianapolis). I just need to get back in game shape. I've only seen action in three regular-season games the past eight months."

(what do you hope to accomplish over the next three days?) "I just need to play. I've been doing a lot of work in the cage, but I need to get in more game-like situations. I need to be able to put solid wood on good pitches, and I need to see more ground balls defensively."

Post-game quotes -- OF Andrew McCutchen

(on his game-winning hit in the 11th inning) "I thought they would pitch around me. I just stayed aggressive and around the plate. I had confidence in my approach. Their pitcher left one over the plate, I stuck the bat out and got a game-winning hit."

(can this victory help build some confidence?) "We've been battling every day. For the most part, we've been swinging the bats well and pitching well. We just haven't had that big hit when we've needed it. Hopefully, we can build on this win."

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