IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Long Balls Lift Tribe To 8-3 Win Over Clippers

Published on June 16, 2008 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS -- Third baseman Neil Walker, shortstop Brian Bixler and pinch hitter Craig Wilson all blasted two-run homers as Indianapolis took down Columbus, 8-3, in front of 8,111 Monday night at Victory Field.

The Indians improve to 35-37 on the season and 17-16 at home, while the Clippers fall to 39-31 overall and 21-15 on the road. The win was the Tribe's first in seven tries against Columbus this season.

After falling behind early the Indianapolis bats came alive with four runs in the sixth and three in the eighth.

Walker's team-leading 10th roundtripper of the season plated CF Andrew McCutchen, who led off the sixth with a single. Bixler's blast then gave the Tribe its first lead of the night and scored 1B Adam Boeve, who reached on a Clippers throwing error.

Wilson provided some insurance for the Indians moments later and brought home C Ronny Paulino, who led off the eighth with a triple.

Indianapolis RHP Jason Davis (6.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO) improved to 4-7 with the win. Davis also knocked in the Tribe's first run with an RBI single in the fifth.

Indians RHP Jesse Chavez (2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO) and RHP Matt Miller (1.0 IP, 3 SO) relieved Davis and combined for five strikeouts in a combined three scoreless innings.

McCutchen (2-for-4, 1 R) and Bixler (2-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI) turned in multi-hit efforts for the Tribe, while six different individuals accounted for the Indians' eight runs.

Indianapolis extended its International League-leading stolen-base total to 96 with four swipes on the night.

Columbus LHP Mike O'Connor (6.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO) suffered the loss, falling to 4-2 on the season.

Washington C/1B Paul Lo Duca, on Major League rehab assignment, gave the Clippers an early 1-0 advantage when he singled in SS Ray Olmedo in the first inning.

Columbus extended its lead in sixth on a two-run single by LF Larry Broadway, which brought home RF Pete Orr and CF Frank Diaz.

Orr (2-for-4, 1 R) and 2B Ed Rogers (2-for-4) turned in the only multi-hit performances for the Clippers, who struck out 11 times against Tribe pitching.

Indianapolis and Columbus wrap up their four-game "home-and-home" series on Tuesday at 7 p.m. RHP Marco Estrada is scheduled to start for the Clippers, while RHP Ty Taubenheim is expected to get the nod for the Indians.

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 6:40 p.m.

It will be another "Qdoba 2-for-1 Tuesday" as 2-for-1 coupons are available at participating central Indiana Qdoba Mexican Grill locations.

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Post-game quotes -- Infielder Neil Walker

(on the Indians hitting three home runs)

"It was good to see us hit the ball hard all over the yard. It was also nice to see us get some hits with runners in scoring position. This win feels good and hopefully we can build on it."

(on the wind blowing out to right field)

"(Columbus LHP Mike) O'Connor was working right-handed hitters away so we made the adjustment and took him to right field. We did a pretty good of staying on the ball and using the opposite field. We were also fortunate to get three balls up in the wind and get them out."

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International League Stories from June 16, 2008


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