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IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Sensational Start from Keller Powers Tribe Past Bats

May 21, 2019 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


LOUISVILLE, KY. - Mitch Keller pitched a season-high seven innings and the offense collected six extra-base hits as the Indianapolis Indians hung on to win the opener of a seven-game road trip over the Louisville Bats, 4-3. The Bats had the bases loaded with two runs already in when the game ended.

Keller (5-0) controlled the game from his first pitch. He only faced more than four batters in an inning on one occasion. Keller struck out six and only walked one batter. The 7.0 innings pitched were a season-high for Keller as it eclipsed his previous high mark of 6.0 innings, a level he had reached in three different starts prior to Tuesday evening.

Indianapolis (23-18) wasted no time and jumped out in front in the first frame. Jason Martin clubbed the second pitch of the game over the right-field wall. It was the second lead-off home run for the Tribe this season, as Martin joined Cole Tucker to achieve the feat.

A pair of doubles produced Indy's second run in the third. JB Shuck doubled to left-center field to start the rally, and two outs later he scored when Ke'Bryan Hayes hit a double to left field. It was Hayes' 17th of the season, a total that continues to lead the International League.

Louisville (18-26) got on the board in the bottom of the third. Rob Refsnyder doubled and scored on Christian Colon's single to left field.

Kevin Kramer pulled the run back when he led off the top of the fourth with an opposite-field homer to left field. It was Kramer's third long ball of the season, and it expanded the advantage to 4-1.

The Bats did not go quietly, and the Indians had to hang on in the ninth to preserve the win. Louisville smacked three straight one-out singles, and then plated two runs with two outs on the board. With the bases loaded, Jake Brentz struck out Scott Schebler on a 3-2 pitch to end the game.

Keller remained unbeaten with Tuesday's victory, and Keury Mella (2-4) dropped his second start of the season to the Tribe. He allowed four runs on six hits over five innings. Brentz conceded the two runs in the ninth, but his strikeout of Schebler salvaged his third save with Indy.

The Indians and Bats will play game two of the three-game series on Wednesday morning, first pitch is slated for 11:00 a.m. Alex McRae (4-2, 5.62) will take the mound for Indianapolis. The club returns home to Victory Field on Tuesday, May 28.

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