Toledo Topples Tribe 4-2
Published on August 9, 2011 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release
TOLEDO, Ohio -- After allowing a pair of runs in the first inning, Toledo starting pitcher Fu-Te Ni combined with two Mud Hens relievers to quiet the Indianapolis offense, while catcher Max St. Pierre drove in the game-winning run as part of a late two-run rally, to defeat the Indians 4-2 on Tuesday night at Fifth Third Field.
With the loss, Indianapolis falls to 61-57 on the year, while the win improves Toledo's record to 55-63. The victory also gives the Mud Hens a 3-3 split in the home/road series with the Indians, while taking an 8-7 advantage in the season series.
Though Ni (6.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO) did not receive a decision, the southpaw was strong after allowing the two early scores, relinquishing six hits in his 6.2 innings of work. From the second inning to the sixth, the Indians were able to manage just two hits off the 28-year-old.
Relievers Brendan Wise and Chance Ruffin combined to shut the door in support of Ni, tossing the final 2.1 scoreless innings. Wise (1.1 IP, 2 H) earned the win to improve to 4-1 on the year, while Ruffin (1.0 IP) notched his eighth save of the season.
Indianapolis jumped out to an early lead after plating a pair of scores in the opening frame. RF Jose Tabata, who is with the Tribe on a Major League rehab assignment began the contest with a double before he came across on SS Jordy Mercer's run-scoring two-bagger to push the Indians ahead 1-0. 3B Josh Harrison followed Mercer with an RBI double of his own to plate Mercer and make it 2-0.
The Mud Hens however, answered in the second with two tallies to tie the game. DH Ryan Strieby led off the inning with a double, before he scored on 3B Brandon Inge's deep home run to left center. Inge's longball was his fifth of the year, and evened the score at 2-2.
Toledo then grabbed the lead for good in the seventh by bringing home two scores. RF Clete Thomas and 1B Scott Thorman both singled to begin the rally, before advancing a base on a sacrifice bunt to set the state for St. Pierre. The Mud Hens backstop delivered with an RBI base knock left, prior to Thorman coming across on 2B Will Rhymes' squeeze bunt, which increased the margin to 4-2.
Inge (2-for-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI) and Thomas (2-for-4, 1 R) each recorded multi-hit efforts for the Mud Hens, while CF Gorkys Hernandez (2-for-3, 1 2B) was the only Indians hitter to collect two base knocks. Harrison's double in the first frame extended his hitting streak to eight games, while Hague has now reached base in 18 consecutive games.
Indianapolis RHP Ross Ohlendorf (6.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO), who was also with the Indians on a Major League rehab assignment, suffered the loss after giving up four earned runs on eight hits in his 6.1 frames, while left-handers Daniel Moskos (0.2 IP) and Justin Thomas (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 SO) completed the final 1.2 innings.
Indianapolis now travels to Columbus for a two-game set with the West Divison leading Clippers, which is scheduled to begin Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. RHP Corey Kluber is expected to get the ball for Columbus, while the Tribe are slated to send LHP Rudy Owens to the mound.
The contest will be carried on WNDE 1260 AM, WNDE.com and via iheartradio, a mobile application for iPhone, Blackberry and Android phones, with Howard Kellman and Scott McCauley on the call. The pre-game show begins at 6:45 p.m.
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Post-game quotes -- DH Jeff Clement
(on tonight's contest) "Tough finish tonight after such a good start. We just didn't have many chances and they really didn't either until they came through in the 7th. We have to bounce back tomorrow and that won't be easy against a good Columbus team."
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