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Indianapolis Indians

Tribe Ties It In Ninth, Explodes For Six Runs In 10th

June 20, 2010 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Shortstop Argenis Diaz came through with a clutch single that scored right fielder Steve Pearce in the top of the ninth and sent the game to extras where the Indianapolis Indians' offense exploded for six runs on five hits in the 10th to defeat the Buffalo Bisons 9-3 on Saturday night at Coca-Cola Field.

With the win, Indianapolis' improves to 37-32 on the season, while the loss drops Buffalo's record to 36-33. The victory also gives the Tribe a 2-1 advantage in the series and improves their record to 5-2 against the Bisons this season.

Trailing 3-2, entering the final frame of play, Pearce, who was playing in his first contest of a Major League rehabilitation assignment with the Tribe, led off the frame with a single before moving to second on a key catcher's interference by the Bisons. 3B Brian Myrow then laid down a sacrifice bunt to push Pearce to third and set the stage for Diaz, who came through with a clutch line drive base hit to right to even the score at 3-3.

Indianapolis then exploded for six runs in the 10th as they batted around the order by way of four doubles, a single, a walk and two Buffalo miscues to come away with the six-run victory.

C Erik Kratz began the Indians' 10th inning rally when he led off the frame by reaching third base on a missed catch and throwing error by Buffalo. The Tribe catcher then came around to score what turned out to be the game-winning tally with an excellent slide on a fielder's choice off the bat of 2B Jim Negrych, who once again came through in the clutch for the Tribe on the road trip.

Pearce then collected his third hit of the contest, a ground-rule double to right-center field that pushed Negrych to third, before 1B Jeff Clement brought home the second run of the inning with a sacrifice fly. Then following a walk and stolen base by Myrow, CF Jonathan Van Every ripped a slump busting two-run double to left field, before Diaz tacked on another RBI when he plated Van Every with yet another 10th inning two-bagger.

Then to add insult to injury, Indians' reliever Jean Machi, in his first professional at-bat, lined a double down the right field line to bring home Diaz with his first career hit and cap the Tribe's six-run final frame. Machi (2.0 IP, 3 SO) also pitched two innings of perfect relief to earn the victory and improve to 3-2 on the season.

Just like they finished the contest, Indianapolis also began the game on a tear as they led off the game with three straight hits and went on to plate two runs in the opening frame. LF Kevin Melillo led off the game with a double and quickly scored when C Luke Carlin roped a single to center field. Then after Carlin was retired, Negrych connected on another Tribe two-bagger and eventually came around to score on a ground-out by Clement.

However, Buffalo rallied and took the lead with two runs in the fourth and a single score in the sixth. In the fourth, LF Lucas Duda lifted a two-out run-scoring double and immediately came around to score when C Josh Thole lined a single to center, before pinch hitter Andy Green came back to haunt the Tribe yet again as he put together a brilliant at-bat against Indians' reliever Justin Thomas, lining a run-scoring single to right after fouling off five consecutive pitches.

In his first game back with the Tribe, Pearce (3-for-4, 2 R) led all batters with three base knocks, while Clement (2-for-3, 1 RBI), Melillo (2-for-6, 1 R) and Diaz (2-for-5, 1 R, 2 RBI) also posted multi-hit efforts. On the other side only 3B Mike Cervenak (2-for-4, 1 R) managed multiple base knocks for the Bisons, who saw their 1-4 starting hitters go a combined 1-for-17 with five strikeouts.

The Bisons did receive excellent pitching from starter Dillon Gee (6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 SO), who did not figure in the final decision, despite striking out seven and walking none over six strong innings of work. Indianapolis starter Charlie Morton (5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO) also did not figure in the final decision as he allowed three runs on six hits, while striking out five over five innings of work.

Buffalo reliever Roy Merritt (0.1 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 BB) suffered the loss to drop to 0-1 after surrendering all six Indians runs in the 10th inning, while on the other side, along with Machi, Tribe relievers Justin Thomas (1.2 IP, 1 H, 4 SO), Jeremy Powell (0.1 IP) and Wil Ledezma (1.0 IP, 2 SO) also turned in dominating outings out of the Indianapolis bullpen.

Indianapolis wraps up its season series with Buffalo on Sunday, June 20 at 1:05 p.m. RHP Mike Crotta is expected to get the call for the Indians, while RHP Tobi Stoner is the probable starter for the Bisons.

The contest will be carried by WXLW-950 AM and www.IndyIndians.com with Howard Kellman and Scott McCauley on the call. The pre-game show begins at 12:45 p.m.

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