Johnson Helps Tribe Knock Off Rochester 4-3
Published on June 5, 2007 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release
INDIANAPOLIS -- Third baseman Russ Johnson smacked a three-run double in the fifth, while right-hander Bryan Bullington notched his International League-leading ninth win as Indianapolis knocked off Rochester, 4-3, Tuesday night at Victory Field.
The Indians improve to 35-22 overall and 19-12 at home, while the Red Wings fall to 29-25 on the season and 12-12 on the road. Wednesday will be the Tribe's 51st consecutive day atop the International League's West Division.
Johnson's (3-for-4, 3 RBI) bases-clearing double came with two outs after C Einar Diaz was hit by a pitch, and SS Brian Bixler (1-for-3, 2 R) and 1B Jose Hernandez (1-for-3, 1 R) both walked. Johnson worked the count full and then gave Indianapolis a 4-0 lead with a shot to the wall in left center.
Bullington (6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO), a former Ball State star, kept Rochester off the scoreboard through five innings. The 26-year-old and former No. 1 overall pick improved to 9-2 with the win.
The Tribe registered the game's first run in the third. Bixler tagged a double off the right-field wall and scored on DH Yurendell de Caster's (2-for-4,1 RBI) single to center.
Red Wings 2B Matt Tolbert (1-for-3, 1 R, 1 RBI) led off the sixth with his third homer of the season -- a solo shot to right. DH Doug Deeds (1-for-3, 1 R) followed with a free pass before 1B Glenn Williams (1-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBI) brought him plateward on his fourth long ball of the campaign -- a two-run blast to right.
Indianapolis RHP Jesse Chavez (1.0 IP, 1 H), RHP Masumi Kuwata (1.0 IP, 1 H) and RHP Dan Kolb (1.0 IP, 1 H) shut down Rochester over the final three frames. Kolb earned his fourth save of 2007.
Rochester LHP Dave Gassner (5.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO), a former Purdue standout, fell to 1-5 with the loss.
The two teams return to Victory Field on Wednesday at 2 p.m., for game two of the four-game series. LHP Shane Youman is expected to take the hill for Indianapolis, while RHP Matt Garza is scheduled to start for Rochester.
The contest will be carried by ESPN-950 AM and IndyIndians.com with Howard Kellman and Scott McCauley. The pre-game show begins at 1:40 p.m.
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