Tribe Uses Nine-run Third For 10-9 Win Over Buffalo
May 22, 2007 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Center fielder Rajai Davis spearheaded a nine-run top of the third with a three-run homer and Indianapolis hung on for a 10-9 victory over Buffalo Tuesday night at Dunn Tire Park.
The Indians improve to 26-18 overall and 14-8 on the road, while the Bisons fall to 26-16 on the season and 11-9 at home. Indianapolis continues to lead the International League's West Division by 3.5 games over Louisville.
Indianapolis collected a season-best nine runs and eight hits in the big inning. SS Brian Bixler led off with a double to right and tied the game when DH Yurendell de Caster roped a single to right. RF Michael Ryan and LF Luis Matos followed with back-to-back base knocks as de Caster came plateward. 2B Luis Ordaz kept the hit parade rolling with a two-run triple to score Ryan and Matos.
Then, after C David Parrish walked, Davis provided the big blow -- a three-run dinger to left. 1B Brad Eldred added a two-run single moments later as Bixler and de Caster crossed the dish for a second time in the inning.
The Indians, who sent 13 men to the plate in the marathon frame, took a commanding 10-2 lead to the bottom of the third and ended up chasing Buffalo LHP Aaron Laffey (2.2 IP, 12 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 3 BB, 0 SO) from the contest. Laffey was pinned with his second loss in as many decisions.
The Bisons chipped away at the eight-run deficit with one score in the third, fourth and sixth innings. Buffalo then pushed across four runs in the seventh, but Indianapolis RHP Josh Sharpless (3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 SO) escaped for his third save of the campaign.
Indians RHP John Van Benschoten (6.0 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB) picked up the win, improving to 4-3.
Davis, who extended his season-best hitting streak to 11 games, went 3-for-6 with his second long ball and three RBI. De Caster finished 3-for-5 with one double, two runs and one RBI, while Bixler (2-for-5, 1 2B, 2 R), Matos (2-for-5, 2 R, 1 RBI), Ordaz (2-for-5, 1 3B, 1 R, 2 RBI) and Green (2-for-5, 1 2B, 1 RBI) collected two hits apiece.
Former Ball State star Brad Snyder led Buffalo with a 3-for-3 performance, which included one homer and three RBI. CF Ben Francisco (3-for-4, 1 R) also had three base knocks, while LF Sin-Soo Choo (2-for-5, 1 R, 1 RBI), 2B Hector Luna (2-for-5, 2 R, 1 RBI) and 1B Ryan Mulhern (2-for-5, 2 R, 2 RBI) each contributed two hits apiece.
Indianapolis will enjoy an open date on Wednesday before opening a four-game set at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Indians RHP Marty McLeary and Yankees RHP Steven Jackson are the probable pitches for the series opener on Thursday at 11 a.m.
International League Stories from May 22, 2007
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