Morton, Moss Lead Indians Past Bulls 9-1
Published on June 24, 2010 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release
INDIANAPOLIS -- Starting pitcher Charlie Morton allowed just one run on two hits in a nine-inning complete game, while right fielder Brandon Moss provided more than enough insurance with a grand slam in the eighth inning as the Indianapolis Indians took down the Durham Bulls 9-1 on Thursday night at Victory Field.
With the win, Indianapolis' record improves to 40-34, while Durham falls to 43-30 on the season with the loss. The victory also helps the Tribe gain the 2-2 series split and improves their record at Victory Field to 21-15 on the season.
Morton (9.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO) was brilliant as he earned his first victory with the Tribe this season, allowing just two hits and one walk over nine dominating innings. The effort for Morton was the third complete game of his career and the first nine-inning complete game for the Indians since LHP Michael Tejera went the distance against the Charlotte Knights on July 28, 2007.
While Morton shut down the Durham offense, the Indians' offense exploded for nine runs on nine hits, including a five-run eighth inning.
DH Brian Myrow began the eighth inning rally when he led off the frame with a double to right, before C Erik Kratz singled and CF Jonathan Van Every walked to load the bases. SS Argenis Diaz then brought Myrow home with a run scoring groundout before LF Kevin Melillo drew a walk to load the bases yet again.
This set the stage for Moss, who belted the ball over the right field fence for his eighth home run and the Indians' second grand slam of the season. The grand blast for Moss was his second homer in as many games and propelled him into the team lead in both home runs and RBI (34).
The Indians also gave Morton an early advantage with single runs in the second and third inning, before extending the lead with two more tallies in the sixth. Van Every provided the game's first RBI when he lifted a sacrifice fly to center to plate 1B Jeff Clement in the second, before 3B Steve Pearce gave the Indians back the lead in the third with a run-scoring base knock to center that brought home Moss.
Sandwiched between the Tribe's single runs was the Bulls only score of the contest, a third inning RBI single by LF Desmond Jennings that brought home 3B Angel Chavez. However, after retaking the lead in the third, the Indians put things out of reach with two more in the sixth as the Tribe loaded the bases on walks to Myrow and Van Every and a single by Kratz to give way to Diaz, who came through with a clutch two-run base knock to center to give the Indians the 4-1 lead.
Moss (2-for-5, 2 R, 1 HR, 4 RBI) and Kratz (2-for-4, 2 R) turned in the only multi-hit efforts of the contest, while Myrow (1-for-2, 2 R, 2 BB) scored multiple times and Diaz (1-for-4, 3 RBI) came through with three runs batted in.
Durham starter Aneury Rodriguez (5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO) suffered the loss to drop to 3-5 on the season, while relievers Justin Garcia (2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) and Mike Ekstrom (0.1 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB) each surrendered multiple runs.
Indianapolis now begins a four-game series with division rival Toledo on Friday, June 25 at 7:15 p.m. RHP Mike Crotta is expected to get the call for the Indians, while RHP L. G. Gagnier is the probable starter for the Mud Hens.
The contest will be carried by WXLW-950 AM and broadcast live on Comcast and Bright House Networks digital channel 81 with Howard Kellman and Scott McCauley on the call. The pre-game show on WXLW-950 AM begins at 6:55 p.m.
Post-game quotes -- RHP Charlie Morton
(on how he felt following his nine-inning complete game)
"I felt pretty good. That's a good hitting team and I was just trying to throw strikes. It went well."
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