K-Tribe Cliches Postseason Berth
September 4, 2011 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Kinston Indians News Release
The K-Tribe secured a berth in the 2011 postseason with a doubleheader sweep of the Potomac Nationals Sunday afternoon. Kinston won game one 5-3 before taking game two 1-2.
The Indians continued a trend of early dominance in the series by jumping on top in the first inning of game number one. Tyler Holt leadoff with a double to right-center and was advanced to third on Bo Greenwell's bunt. Jeremie Tice walked to load the bases and Jesus Aguilar drew a bases full pass to bring Holt in from third. The first inning came to close with the bases loaded and the Indians on top 1-0.
Kinston kept the gas pedal floored in the second. With two outs, again it was Holt reaching on a single and advancing to third on a throwing error on Potomac third baseman Justin Bloxom. Holt came home when Greenwell looped a single to left. Adam Abraham provided the exclamation point by roping his 17th home run of the year to left.
Abraham has collected three home runs in Kinston's last four games.
Delvi Cid added insurance in the sixth by racing home from first on an errant pickoff throw from pitcher Neil Holland.
Toru Murata picked up his third win of the season in a crucial spot start. Murata allowed three earned runs over six innings while striking out five. Preston Guilmet worked a perfect seventh complete with two strikeouts to pick up his league-leading 35th save of the season.
A game two pitchers duel saw Mitchell Clegg and K-Tribe newcomer Michael Goodnight carry a scoreless tie to the fifth.
Kinston again drew first blood, this time on a Potomac error. With Casey Frawley on second base, Jordan Casas dropped a bunt down the third base line. Bloxom charged, barehanded and threw wild to first to allow Frawley to stroll home.
In the sixth Frawley again was in the middle of the action. With Greenwell aboard and two outs, Frawley laced a single to give Kinston what would be a crucial insurance run.
Eury Perez scored in Potomac's half of the inning to cut Kinston's lead to one.
With a 2-1 lead, Trey Haley allowed a seventh inning leadoff double to Brian Peacock. Peacock moved to third on a sacrifice bunt which forced the Indians offense to draw in. With a postseason on the line and a man at third, Haley clinched the second half title by striking out Cutter Dykstra, walking Eury Perez and punching out Francisco Soriano swinging to clinch the second half title.
Just one day after joining the K-Tribe, Michael Goodnight earned the win in his Carolina League debut. Goodnight struck out six over five and one third innings. Kinston's newcomer allowed one run on three hits. Haley picked up his first save of the season.
Through three games the Indians have not trailed against the Nationals. Kinston also guaranteed a series victory.
Kinston will be opposed by the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in the 2011 Southern Division Championship Series. Game three is Friday night in Kinston followed by games four and five if necessary. By winning the second half, Kinston gathered home field advantage and will get the final three games at home if the matchup needs five games. In the Northern Division Championship Series, Frederick will face Potomac.
With the postseason clinching win, at least one more game will be played at Historic Grainger Stadium.
Playoff tickets are on sale now. To purchase your tickets call the Indians front office at 252-527-9111. Follow the Indians on facebook and at www.kinstonindians.com
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Carolina League Stories from September 4, 2011
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