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IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Indy edges Richmond 5-4 in homestand finale

May 16, 2008 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS -- Four individuals registered two hits apiece, while right-hander John Van Benschoten allowed just two runs over five innings as Indianapolis scored a 5-4 win over Richmond in front of 9,801 Friday evening at Victory Field.

The Indians improve to 21-22 overall and 11-11 at home, while the International League South Division-leading Braves fall to 22-19 overall and 9-12 on the road.

Van Benschoten (5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO) improved to 5-0 with the win in his first start since being optioned from Pittsburgh back to Indianapolis. The former first-round selection has now won 15 of his last 20 Triple-A starts, dating back to May 2, 2007.

The Indians used a balanced offensive attack to get over the hump in the eight-game homestand finale.

SS Jack Wilson (2-for-3, 2 R, 1 RBI), LF Nyjer Morgan (2-for-3, 1 R), 3B Neil Walker (2-for-4, 1 RBI) and 2B Matt Kata (2-for-4) all notched multi-hit games for the Tribe. Wilson, the Pirates everyday shortstop, was appearing in his second game on a Major League rehabilitation assignment.

Indianapolis scored once in the first when Jack Wilson singled and eventually jogged home on a passed ball.

The Indians added four runs in the third -- their largest output in a frame since May 6. Jack Wilson, Walker and 1B Craig Wilson all recorded RBI singles in the inning, while the Tribe's final run scored on a wild pitch.

RHP Brian Rogers (2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO) and RHP Jesse Chavez (2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER) backed Van Benschoten over the final four innings. Rogers was credited with his fourth hold of the season, while Chavez picked up his first save.

3B Scott Thorman (3-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI) and SS Diory Hernandez (2-for-4) collected Richmond's only multi-hit efforts. Thorman gave the Braves a brief lead with an RBI single in the third and clobbered a towering solo homer -- his third of the year -- in the sixth.

Richmond RHP Matt DeSalvo (4.0 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO) fell to 1-6 with the loss. The Braves bullpen combined for four scoreless innings after DeSalvo departed down three runs.

Indianapolis returns to the road for a two-game set at Louisville. Indians RHP Luis Munoz and Bats RHP Tom Shearn are the probable starters for Saturday's series opener at 6:15 p.m.

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 5:55 p.m.

Post-game quotes -- INF Neil Walker

(on gaining momentum with back-to-back wins over Richmond) "We needed to get some momentum back after the four-game losing streak. We created some excitement in yesterday's (Thursday) 11-inning victory, and came back to get another win tonight (Friday)."

(on the four-run third inning) "When guys are swinging the bat up and down the order, one hit can lead to another. At that point, everyone begins to feel more comfortable at the plate. When guys get into scoring position, you can relax a little bit. Our four-run third inning was a definitely an example of this."

(on a great defensive play when he crawled to get an out at third) "It was a tough (third) inning. I just wanted to do anything I could to get an out with runners on first and second. I was able to get my glove on the hard-hit ball and make an out at third. I would have liked to get the double play, but had to crawl to the bag."

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