IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Tribe Topped by Tides 2-1

Published on June 11, 2013 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS -- RHP Brandon Cumpton allowed just two scores over 7.0 innings and shortstop Chase d'Arnaud lifted a solo homer in the sixth inning, but it wasn't enough as the Norfolk Tides (38-27) escaped with a 2-1 victory over the Indianapolis Indians (44-22) on Monday night at Victory Field. The one-run contest marked the fourth straight game for the Tribe that has been decided by just a lone score, as well as the first one-run game the Indians have lost at home this season in 12 tries.

It was a pitcher's duel from the get-go with Tribe starter Cumpton (L, 7.0 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO) locked in a battle with his counterpart LHP Zach Britton. Despite making his seventh quality start in which he limited Norfolk to just two runs on nine scattered hits, Cumpton did not factor into the game's final decision. Indianapolis' right-hander cruised through the first four frames, and along with collecting five strikeouts to just three walks, he surrendered just two extra-base hits before exiting after 7.0 solid innings.

Where Cumpton was dominant, Britton (W, 6.0 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 BB, 5 SO) was just slightly better, albeit in one less inning, as he was charged with just one score through 6.0 frames. The southpaw kept the Tribe bats in check with just three singles, before he gave up a blast of homer for his only run of the contest. Britton walked two and fanned five while improving to a perfect 3-0 with a 2.23 ERA (9 ER in 36.1 IP) in six road starts this season.

After four consecutive innings with zeros on the scoreboard, Norfolk drew first blood for the second straight game, beginning with LF Xavier Avery slamming a leadoff double to right field. With each of the first two games of the series being decided by one run, the Tides then elected to play small-ball, and CF Jason Pridie answered the call with a perfectly placed sacrifice bunt that advanced the runner into scoring position.

Just one batter later, RF T.J Hoes continued to be a thorn in the Tribe's side, and plated his third run of the series with an RBI single to center that gave Norfolk a 1-0 advantage. Over the first three contests of the three-game set, Hoes has produced a .500 average (6-for-12) with three runs scored and a homer.

True to their recent form, the Indians mounted a comeback against the visiting Tides, wasting almost no time in evening the score. While Britton continued to be in control on the mound, SS Chase d'Arnaud broke through the opposing southpaw's shutout with a towering solo shot to left that re-tied the contest for the Tribe at 1-1. The home run was the second in just 15 games for the speedy infielder, who lifted only six longballs in 98 games with Indianapolis during the 2012 campaign.

Unfortunately for the Indians, the home team wouldn't have 13 innings of opportunity to take a lead, as Norfolk took the lead for good in the top of the seventh. Following a quick out from Navarro, Avery slapped a single up the middle that rolled right under the scooping glove of RF Brett Carroll to allow the runner to take second base.

Pridie then bounced a grounder to the right side of the infield to allow Avery to dash to third, before 1B Travis Ishikawa knocked in the game-winning run with a single that sent Avery racing home to give Norfolk a 2-1 lead.

Aside from a seventh-inning double from 2B Ivan DeJesus, the Tides duo of LHP Andy Loomis (H, 2.0 IP, H, 2 SO) and RHP Jairo Asencio (1.0 IP) retired Indianapolis' batters in order through the final three frames to preserve the win. Loomis, who picked up his first hold of the season, struck out two along in his 2.0 innings of work, while Asencio worked a perfect ninth to earn his 14th save of the season, the second-most converted opportunities in the International League.

Though the outcome remained the same, the home team also received stellar performances out of its bullpen from a pair of relievers. Pittsburgh Pirates rehabbing RHP Jose Contreras (1.0 IP, 3 H, SO) allowed three hits but no runs in the eighth before giving way to RHP Tim Alderson (1.0 IP, H, BB, SO) who fanned and walked one in a scoreless ninth frame.

Indianapolis and Norfolk will now conclude their four-game series Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. at Victory Field. The Tribe is expected to send rehabbing right-hander James McDonald (0-1, 7.36) to the mound while the Tides are scheduled to give the ball to LHP Tsuyoshi Wada (1-3, 5.87).

The contest will be televised on HTSN, Hometown Sports and News, available via cable or over-the-air on digital channel 6.2. The game will also 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 6:45 p.m.

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International League Stories from June 11, 2013


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