IL1 Indianapolis Indians

McLeary propels Tribe to 4-1 win over Charlotte

June 4, 2007 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS -- Right-hander Marty McLeary allowed just one run over six innings, while shortstop Brian Bixler blasted his fourth homer of the season and catcher Einar Diaz drilled a two-run double as Indianapolis defeated Charlotte, 4-1, Monday night at Victory Field.

The Indians improve to 34-22 overall and 18-12 at home, while the Knights fall to 23-34 on the season and 7-19 on the road. Tuesday will be the Tribe's 50th consecutive day atop the International League's West Division.

McLeary (6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO) retired the first six batters he faced and kept the Knights off the scoreboard until the sixth. He improved to 4-1 with the win and lowered his ERA to 2.55.

Bixler (1-for-3, 1 R, 1 RBI) gave Indianapolis a 1-0 lead in the first with a long ball to left.

The Indians opened up a three-run advantage the next inning. 3B Russ Johnson (2-for-4, 1 R) led off with a single to center and moved to third on CF Luis Matos' (2-for-3, 2 R) double to left center. Diaz (2-for-3, 2 RBI) then picked up a pair of RBI on a two-bagger to left as Johnson and Matos came around to the dish.

Diaz has now hit safely in a season-best nine straight games. He is batting .419 (13-for-31) with eight runs and four RBI during the stretch.

Charlotte scored its lone run of the contest in the sixth when 3B Josh Fields (2-for-4, 1 RBI) brought RF Kenny Kelly (0-for-2, 1 R) plateward with a single to left.

Indianapolis added an insurance run in the seventh when Matos scored on LF Nick Green's (1-for-4, 1 RBI) base knock to left.

Tribe LHP Juan Perez (3.0 IP, 1 H) worked the final three frames to earn his second save of 2007.

Knights LHP Heath Phillips (7.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO), an Evansville native, fell to 4-5 with the loss.

Indianapolis continues its 12-game homestand with a four-game series against Rochester. Indians RHP Bryan Bullington and Red Wings LHP Dave Gassner are the probables for the opener on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

The contest will be carried by ESPN-950 AM and IndyIndians.com with Howard Kellman and Scott McCauley. The pre-game show begins at 6:40 p.m.

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