IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Red Barons late grand slam spills Tribe

Published on June 9, 2004 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS -- For the second night in a row, a late inning home run powered the Scranton/Wilkes Barre Red Barons to a come-from-behind victory over the Indianapolis Indians.

This time the heroics came from catcher Michel Hernandez, who hit a grand slam homer over the left field wall in the top of the eighth inning to give the Red Barons a 6-5 win for their fifth straight win.

"I just want to do what I can to help the team," Hernandez said. "It felt good getting that hit."

The eighth inning started when shortstop Anderson Machado reached on an error by Indianapolis first baseman Corey Hart. Machado stole second and took third when center fielder Mark Budzinski walked on a wild pitch. After Shawn Wooten struck out, first baseman Jim Rushford hit an RBI single that plated Machado.

Left fielded Mark Smith then grounded out to the catcher when his check swing hit a dribbler in front of the plate. Indianapolis then opted to intentionally walk second baseman Pablo Ozuna, who hit a ninth inning homer Monday night for the game-winner, to load the bases.

That set the stage for Hernandez, who hit his fourth home run of the year and first grand slam.

"I knew the pitcher had good sliders and good sinkers and I was looking for a sinker," Hernandez said. "I got the pitch I was hoping for and was able to get a lot of power into it."

Hernandez's shot cleared the left field wall by 15 feet and gave the visitors a 6-3 lead.

The Red Barons took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth when pitcher Corey Condrey hit an RBI single down the left field line that plated right fielder Jorge Padilla, who hit a one-out double into the right field corner.

Indianapolis scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Left fielder Chris Magruder started the inning with a solo home run over the right field foul pole and Hart followed with a double to the left field corner.

Hart advanced to third on a single by right fielder Jon Nunnallly and scored when catcher Mark Johnson hit into a double play. The Indians added another run in the bottom of the seventh when shortstop Matt Erickson opened with a double and scored on an RBI single by pinch hitter Brandon Gemoll.

Indianapolis added two runs in the bottom of the ninth and had a man on first with only one out before left hander Jim Crowell struck out Magruder and got Hart to hit a fielder's choice to shortstop that ended the game.

"We just go out and do what it takes to win," Hernandez said. "No one got nervous when we got down because we were patient and just waited for our chance."

The Red Barons continue a four-game series in Indianapolis with a 3 p.m. start today and end the series with a 8 p.m. start Thursday.

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International League Stories from June 9, 2004


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