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IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Late Inning Rally Lifts Louisville Over Tribe 4-1

August 15, 2011 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The Louisville Bats spoiled an excellent Triple-A debut from Indianapolis starter Jeff Locke, who struck out six over 5.2 scoreless innings, as for the second straight night they battled back to earn the victory with a late inning rally, plating four runs in the bottom of the eighth to defeat the Indians 4-1 on Monday night at Louisville Slugger Field.

With the loss Indianapolis falls to 65-59 on the season, while the win improves Louisville's record to 63-61. The victory for the Bats also helps them gain a 2-2 series split and evens the season series between the two clubs at 7-7.

The Indians couldn't of asked for much more from starter Jeff Locke (5.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 SO) in his Triple-A debut on Monday night. The southpaw starter was keyed in from the get go, allowing just four singles and no walks, while striking out six.

However, a victory was not in the cards for Locke as for the second straight night the Bats' bats came alive late in the contest, tagging Tribe reliever Daniel Moskos (0.1 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 0 SO) for four runs on two hits and three walks in the bottom of the eighth inning. Moskos, who entered the contest with just four walks over 31 innings this season for the Tribe, surrendered three free passes, including forcing in the eventual game-winning run with the bases loaded, and was pinned with his first loss and first blown save of the season.

Pinch-hitter Michael Griffin began the Bats second straight late inning come from behind win with a lead-off single in the bottom of the eighth. Then after a sacrifice bunt from SS Kristopher Negron moved Griffin to second, a walk to 2B Chris Valaika set the stage for Louisville's offensive star of the night 3B Juan Francisco.

Francisco, who led all batters with three hits in four at-bats, came through with the clutch hit of the contest, when he singled home Griffin to even the score at 1-1. The Bats then took advantage of control issues from Moskos as CF Denis Phipps and C Corky Miller drew back-to-back base-on-balls with Miller's walk forcing home Valaika to give Louisville their first lead of the game.

The Bats then tacked on two insurance tallies when LF Daniel Dorn followed Miller's walk with a base loaded hit by pitch, before last night's hero Mike Constanzo plated Phipps with a sacrifice fly to give Louisville a 4-1 advantage.

For the second straight night the Indians' offense was held down by veteran left hander as Bats starter Tom Cochran (6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 SO) surrendered just one run on three hits, while striking out five over six innings of work. The Louisville bullpen then stepped up to plate with three scoreless innings of work as RHP Jerry Gil (1.0 IP, 1 H) tossed a scoreless seventh, RHP Carlos Fisher (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 SO) turned a scoreless eighth to earn the win and improve to 4-1 and RHP Brad Boxberger (1.0 IP, 2 BB, 1 SO) worked out of a jam in the ninth to notch his second save.

The Indians scored their lone run in the top of the fifth when 2B Jordy Mercer led off with a single to center, moved to third on a base hit by SS Pedro Ciriaco and came around to score on an RBI groundout by CF Gorkys Hernandez. Mercer finished the night as the only Indians batter with multiple hits to continue an excellent month of August where he has posted a .351 batting average (20-for-57) with 15 runs, eight doubles and nine RBI over 14 games.

Tribe relievers Jared Hughes (0.1 IP, 1 SO) and Tony Watson (1.0 IP, 1 H, 3 SO) turned in excellent performances out of the Indians' pen as Hughes tossed a scoreless 0.1 frames to notch his seventh hold of the season and Watson struck out the side in the seventh to pick up his sixth hold. Despite not being charged with a run, Indians' LHP Justin Thomas (0.2 IP) did allow two inherited runners to score in what was his International League leading 55th appearance this season.

Indianapolis now begins a season long 10-game homestand with four more contests against Louisville, starting on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. The Bats are expected to send RHP Chad Reineke to the mound, while the Indians have yet to name a starter

The contest will be carried on WNDE 1260 AM, WNDE.com and via iheartradio, a mobile application for iPhone, Blackberry and Android phones, while also being broadcast live on Comcast and Bright House Networks digital channel 81 with Howard Kellman and Scott McCauley on the call. The pre-game show begins at 6:45 p.m.

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Post-game quotes -- 2B Jordy Mercer

(on the tough late inning loss) "That's baseball. We were in it right from the beginning, we pitched well, played really good defense and got some knocks every now and then to get ahead. Locke (Indians' starter Jeff Locke) did a good job and our bullpen did a good job too, but we just lost it right there at the end."

(on Indians' starter Jeff Locke) "He was outstanding. Every time I have seen him, that I have played with him, he gives you a chance to win games. That's what I look for in a starter. He will go out there and compete for you like he did tonight. He was throwing all three pitches for strikes and locating really well tonight."

(on how he feels at the plate during his August turnaround) "I feel good. Like I have said earlier, I have been working alot with Brano (Indians' hitting coach Jeff Branson), just trying to get back to basics and just try not to do too much. Sticking with the plan, even if I don't get a hit one day, just stick to the plan and things will work out."

(on how it feels to play eight straight against Louisville) "I have no idea to tell you the truth, I have never played a team eight straight in-a-row. I guarantee that we will see alot of their pitchers over and over again so we should have a good idea what it is coming."

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