IL1 Indianapolis Indians

IronPigs Sweep Away Tribe with 4th Straight Shutout

May 18, 2012 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- The Indianapolis Indians put runners in scoring position with less than two outs in the first, third, sixth and seventh innings, but were unable to capitalize as Lehigh Valley hurlers escaped each jam on their way to a fourth straight shutout and four-game series sweep with a 3-0 win on Friday night at Coca-Cola Park.

The Indians could not be more ecstatic to leave Lehigh Valley after the IronPigs set a record with their fourth straight shutout of the Tribe on Friday night. The four consecutive blankings mark the first time in the Victory Field era (since 1996) that the Indians have been held without a run in four straight contests.

The Tribe offense did show signs off life on Friday night as they had several excellent scoring opportunities throughout the contest. Perhaps their best scoring chance came in the game's first frame when CF Alex Presley led off the game with a triple to center field.

However, IronPigs starter Pat Misch would strike out the next two batters and after a walk to 1B Jeff Clement, induce a groundout to end the inning and the scoring threat. Despite walking four batters over five innings of work, Misch (5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 4 SO) was able to escape danger in the first, third and fifth innings on his way to earning the victory.

The Indians looked to have Misch in big trouble again in the fifth as they put a runner in scoring position on two separate occasions. Tribe starting pitcher Rudy Owens led off the frame with a base hit and moved up to second on a groundout by Presley, but was forced out at third when SS Chase d'Arnaud grounded into a fielder's choice.

d'Arnaud then created another excellent scoring opportunity all on his own when he proceeded to steal second and third. CF Starling Marte would then draw a base-on-balls to bring the red hot Jeff Clement to the plate for the Tribe, however Misch would punch out Clement to end the inning and yet another Tribe scoring threat.

All in all, Misch along with relievers Brian Sanches (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB), B. J. Rosenberg (2.0 IP, 2 H, 5 SO) and Tyson Brummett (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 2 SO) would work out of several jams with the help of 11 strikeouts to strand a total of 11 Indians runners on base. For their efforts Sanches earned his fifth hold of the save, Rosenberg picked up his first hold and Brummett notched his first save.

Despite the recent offensive woes, the Indianapolis pitching staff has been dominant as of late combining for a 1.80 ERA (10 ER in 50.0 IP) over their last six games.

Tribe starter Rudy Owens (6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO) continued that trend on Friday night as despite suffering the loss to fall to 2-2 on the season he battled through six innings, scattering six hits, while walking just one and striking out six. Following Owens, Tribe relievers Jose Diaz (1.0 IP, 1 SO) and Doug Slaten (1.0 IP) each worked a perfect inning of relief out of the Indianapolis bullpen.

Lehigh Valley scored all the runs they needed in the bottom of third, when the lone walk by Owens came back to bite him. RF Derrick Mitchell drew that base-on-balls with one out and after stealing second came plateward when 2B Kevin Frandsen lined a double to right.

Former Tribe All-Star C Erik Kratz would then tack on what proved to be two unneeded insurance scores, first following Frandsen's third inning two-bagger with one of his own to extend the Lehigh Valley advantage to 2-0. Then after Mitchell led off the fifth with another double and moved to third on Frandsen's fly out, Kratz brought him home with a sacrifice fly to center to give the game its final score of 3-0.

The Indians (22-19) now look to right the ship in Buffalo where they begin a four-game series against the Bisons (25-17) on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. LHP Justin Wilson is currently scheduled to make the start for the Tribe, while Buffalo is expected to counter with RHP Jeurys Familia.

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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