Tribe Survives Late Bisons Rally, 6-5
Published on May 25, 2013 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- First baseman Matt Hague went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, one double, a homer and three RBI while three Tribe relievers combined to halt a late Herd rally as the Indianapolis Indians (34-15) hung on for a 6-5 win over the Buffalo Bisons (26-20) on Friday night at Coca-Cola Field. The Tribe has now taken five of six contests against Buffalo this season.
Friday's contest remained a deadlocked affair throughout the majority of the evening, and even as Indianapolis plated two early runs, Buffalo matched the pair of scores with two tallies of their own less than three outs later.
Facing a 2-2 tie in the top of the sixth, the Tribe finally created some separation from the home team as they strung together a four-run outburst that ultimately spelled the difference in the game.
CF Alex Presley initiated the rally with a four-pitch leadoff walk and, in a move that prevented what could have turned into a momentum-killing twin-killer, swiped second base before LF Felix Pie was able to put a ball in play. With Presley standing safely on second, Pie grounded out to the right side to advance the runner to third, before Hague laced an RBI double down the left-field line that gave the Tribe a 3-2 edge.
3B Jared Goedert then coaxed a walk and RF Jerry Sands slapped a single to put three runners on with just one out. With the bases juiced, the Indians looked to DH Jeff Larish and C Lucas May, who entered tonight's contest with just one RBI between the pair of batters, to keep the rally alive.
Without hesitation, both players answered the call as Larish drew a bases-loaded walk and May followed with an RBI single to extend the advantage 5-2. One batter later, 2B Ivan DeJesus capped the uprising with a run-scoring groundout to short that made it 6-2 in the top of the sixth.
The Tribe's four-run lead proved to be just enough as three Tribe relievers combined to allow Buffalo to claw within one run, but never claim an outright lead. RHP Tim Alderson (2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 SO) anchored the relief effort by striking out three while allowing just two base knocks in a scoreless sixth and seventh.
Entering the eighth, the Bisons made it interesting against RHP Erik Cordier (0.2 IP, 3 ER, 3 BB, SO) as the home team drew two free passes and a hit-by-pitch to load the bases with two outs. PH Ryan Langerhans then coaxed a bases-loaded walk to cut the deficit to 6-3, and following an Indians pitching change, pinch hitter Josh Thole poked a two-run single up the middle off RHP Jared Hughes that brought Buffalo within 6-5.
With the tying run just 90 feet away, Hughes (SV, 1.1 IP, H, 0 ER, SO) was able to dial in on the mound to strike out CF-SS Mike McCoy and end the Bisons threat in the bottom of the eighth. The Indians right-hander then picked up right where he left off as he took the mound in the ninth, retiring the side in order to slam the door and preserve Indianapolis' 6-5 win.
Both teams' hot-hitting bats were kept quiet through the contest's early goings due to stellar efforts from starters RHP Claudio Vargas and LHP Kris Johnson, who both pitched three hitless innings before they each surrendered two runs in the third.
Johnson (W, 5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 7 SO) delivered an impressive outing in his first appearance against the Bisons en route to earning the win. The Tribe's southpaw hurler fanned a season-high seven batters through his 5.0 frames and exited the contest having been charged with just two earned runs on the evening.
For Buffalo, Vargas (L, 5.1 IP, 4 H, 6 ER, 4 BB, 4 SO) surrendered six earned runs on four hits while also walking and striking out four in his 5.1 innings of action. The right-hander's outing marked his second appearance in as many starts in which he has allowed six earned runs, and Vargas has now been tagged for a combined 26 scores over his last six games.
After each respective starter worked three hitless frames, the Tribe drew first blood in the fourth when Presley doubled to center and Hague smashed a two-run homer that sailed over the left field wall to put Indianapolis up 2-0. The home run marked the Indians' 16 longball over the last nine games.
Buffalo wasted little time in re-tying the contest in its half of the frame, courtesy of an RBI double from LaRoche and a wild pitch that allowed 1B Mauro Gomez to sprint home and even the score 2-2. The third-inning tie proved to be the closest the Herd would come to ever snagging a lead throughout the evening.
The Tribe and Bisons square off tomorrow at 1:05 p.m. at Coca-Cola Field. Indianapolis is scheduled to send RHP Gerrit Cole (4-3, 3.80) to the bump, while Buffalo is expected give the ball to Toronto Blue Jays rehabbing RHP Josh Johnson (NR).
The game 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 Will Flemming on the call. The pre-game show begins at 12:45 p.m.
International League Stories from May 25, 2013
- Chiefs Clip Columbus 2-1 in Extras - Columbus Clippers
- Perez, Chiefs Edge Clippers in Extras - Syracuse Mets
- G-Braves Win Third Straight, 4-2 - Gwinnett Stripers
- PawSox Score Last, Beat Bats 6-5 - Louisville Bats
- Lennerton Homers in Hens' 4-2 Loss to Braves - Toledo Mud Hens
- Snyder Lifts PawSox in Field, at Plate - Pawtucket Red Sox
- Tribe's Offense Stalls in 2-1 Loss - Indianapolis Indians
- IronPigs Game Notes - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Orioles Recall RHP Steve Johnson from Triple-A Norfolk - Norfolk Tides
- Bisons Notes - Indianapolis at Buffalo (1:05 p.m.) - Buffalo Bisons
- SWB Game Notes - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Rochester Red Wings Game Notes () - Rochester Red Wings
- Tribe Survives Late Bisons Rally, 6-5 - Indianapolis Indians
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.
