Mud Hens Stay Hot, Edge Indianapolis
August 24, 2007 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release
INDIANAPOLIS -- Shortstop Omar Infante went 3-for-4 with one RBI, while right-hander Dennis Tankersley allowed just one run over 6.2 innings as Toledo notched its fourth straight win over Indianapolis -- a 2-1 decision -- in front of 11,158 Friday evening at Victory Field.
The Mud Hens improve to 77-55 overall and 34-31 on the road, while the Indians fall to 66-66 on the season and 35-28 at home. Saturday will be the Tribe's 278th consecutive day with a record of .500 or better.
Richmond (72-59) continues to lead the International League's Wild Card race over Rochester (72-63, 2.0 GB), Buffalo (70-62, 2.5 GB) and Indianapolis (66-66, 6.5 GB).
Toledo trims its magic number to one and can clinch the IL's West Division with a win on Saturday or Sunday.
Infante put the Mud Hens on the scoreboard with an RBI single to right in the first. The base knock came after CF Andres Torres opened the contest with a double to right and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt.
Toledo added an important insurance tally after a 26-minute rain delay in the seventh. 2B Henry Mateo led off with a single to right, stole second, advanced to third on Infante's base knock to center and trotted home on LF Timo Perez's sacrifice fly.
Indianapolis threatened on numerous occasions down the stretch, but could only muster one run in the seventh. LF Nyjer Morgan was hit by a pitch, sailed to third on a single by C Milver Reyes and scored on an RBI groundout by CF Andrew McCutchen.
It was Morgan's first start in over three months. The 27-year-old batted .308 with nine RBI and a league-leading 22 stolen bases in 34 games for the Tribe before dislocating his thumb on May 14.
Mud Hens RHP Dennis Tankersley (6.2 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) earned the win, improving to 10-7. The 28-year-old, who moves to 2-0 with a 1.84 ERA in two starts vs. Indianapolis this season, did not allow a runner past second base in his first six innings.
Toledo LHP Vic Darensbourg (0.1 IP) and RHP Anastacio Martinez (0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 BB) were credited with holds, while RHP Aquilino Lopez (1.2 IP, 1 H, 3 SO) collected his team-best 23rd save of the campaign.
Indians RHP Marty McLeary (7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO) was pinned with the loss, falling to 4-7. The 32-year-old retired 15 straight batters in his longest outing of 2007, but failed to pick up his first win since June 4.
DH Michael Ryan (3-for-4) and 2B Don Kelly (2-for-4) registered multi-hit performances for the Tribe.
The two teams return to Victory Field on Saturday at 7 p.m., for game two of the three-game series. RHP Yorman Bazardo is slated to start for Toledo, while RHP Victor Zambrano is expected to get the nod for Indianapolis.
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.
Indians players and coaches will sign autographs on the concourse from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. The zany, hysterical and unbelievable ZOOperstars will also be on hand to perform courtesy of Clarian Health and the Shane Co.
International League Stories from August 24, 2007
- Bass Shuts Down Yanks - Rochester Red Wings
- Mud Hens Stay Hot, Edge Indianapolis - Indianapolis Indians
- Bats' Comeback Bid Falls Short, Lose 12-9 - Louisville Bats
- Bulls Take Finale from Braves - Durham Bulls
- Durham Downs Braves - Gwinnett Stripers
- R-Braves Game Notes - Gwinnett Stripers
- Pitchers Return To Lynx Roster - Ottawa Lynx
- Bisons Game Notes - Buffalo Bisons
- ...And Down the Stretch They Come - IL1
- Playoff tickets on sale August 25 - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
