The Clippers pull to within two and a half games in the wild card race
Published on August 30, 2005 under International League (IL1)
Columbus Clippers News Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Left fielder Kevin Reese tagged a two-run single in the bottom of the fourth to break open a tie game, while left-hander Darrell May and right-hander Ramiro Mendoza combined for six scoreless innings as Columbus posted a 3-1 win over Indianapolis Monday night at Cooper Stadium.
The Indians, who have seen their last 14 losses come by a total of 19 runs, fall to 76-61 on the season. Indianapolis now leads the International League Wild Card race by two and a half games over the Clippers, who improve to 74-64 with their third straight victory. The magic number for a Tribe playoff berth remains at five.
Things have definitely tightened up in the month of August. Since July 31, the Indians have seen 26 of their last 31 games decided by three runs or less. Indianapolis has also encountered 15 one-run affairs during the same span.
May (4.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 SO) earned the win, improving to 6-2. Mendoza (2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 SO) fanned five of the six batters he faced to pick up his first save of the season.
Columbus 1B Mitch Jones and SS Caonabe Cosme drew back-to-back free passes with one out in the fourth. Both runners moved up 90 feet on CF Kevin Thompson's single to right field and came plateward on Reese's base knock to the same spot.
The Clippers' two spot in the fourth came after the teams exchanged early runs. In the second, Thompson put Columbus ahead, 1-0, with a single to left field after catcher Wil Nieves roped a double past the Tribe third baseman. Indianapolis responded -- in the third -- when CF Cesar Crespo singled up the middle, stole second and came plateward on SS J.J. Furmaniak's base knock through the right side.
Furmaniak extends the longest hitting streak of his career to 17 games by going 1-for-4. He also becomes the first Indianapolis hitter to hit safely in 17 straight, surpassing Ronny Paulino's 16-game streak from June 7-24.
Indians LHP Mike Connolly (6.1 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO) was pinned with the loss, falling to 2-3.
The Tribe returns to Victory Field on Tuesday to kick off its final homestand of 2005. The Indians face IL West Division Champion Toledo in a three-game series (Aug. 30-Sept. 1) before squaring off with Louisville in a two-game set (Sept. 2-3). RHP Ian Snell is scheduled to take the hill for the Indians in the series opener, while RHP Andrew Good is expected to get the nod for the Mud Hens. Tuesday's contest, which is slated for 7 p.m., will be carried by ESPN-950 AM as Howard Kellman and Robert Portnoy have the call. The pre-game show begins at 6:40 p.m.
International League Stories from August 30, 2005
- Columbus creeps closer; downs Indianapolis 3-1 - Indianapolis Indians
- Chase Lambin lifts the Tide to a 4-3 win - Norfolk Tides
- Borkowski, Raines Jr. lead Lynx to 5-2 victory - Ottawa Lynx
- Knights conquer Braves - Gwinnett Stripers
- Mud Hens and Tides Set To Meet In Round One - Toledo Mud Hens
- Last homestand details - Pawtucket Red Sox
- Senators Day at Lynx Stadium Saturday, September 3 - Ottawa Lynx
- Lynx 2B Bernie Castro Named To IL All-Star Team - Ottawa Lynx
- Bulls Upton named to IL All-Star Team - Durham Bulls
- Tuesday's Game Postponed; Indianapolis And Toledo To Play Twinbill On Wednesday - Indianapolis Indians
- IL names All-Star Team, award winners - IL1
- R-Braves game notes - Gwinnett Stripers
- Larry Parrish Is IL Manager of the Year - Toledo Mud Hens
- Ryan Garko Named to IL Post Season All-Star Team - Buffalo Bisons
- Bison look to extend six game winning streak - Buffalo Bisons
- Columbus Creeps Closer; Downs Indianapolis 3-1 - Indianapolis Indians
- The Clippers pull to within two and a half games in the wild card race - Columbus Clippers
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