IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Vandenhurk Vaults Tribe over Bulls 4-0

May 31, 2012 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS -- After waiting out a two-hour, 13-minute rain delay on Thursday night, right-handed pitcher Rick VandenHurk stepped into the starter's role and led the Indians to a series-winning 4-0 win over the Durham Bulls at Victory Field.

The rain washed away a planned rehab appearance by RHP Jeff Karstens -- who was expected to make his second start for the Indians -- forcing VandenHurk (6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K) into a spot start, his second start of the season for Indianapolis.

Improving to 3-0 for the Indians, the native of Eindhoven, Netherlands, recorded a season-high eight strikeouts and at one point retired 14 Bulls in a row. VandenHurk faced only one jam, in the top of the sixth inning. Back-to-back two-out singles by 2B Cole Figueroa and CF Jeff Salazar and a two-out walk to RF Stephen Vogt loaded the bases for Durham, but VandenHurk induced a flyout to left field to leave the bases loaded.

The Indians provided VandenHurk with all the offense he would need in the bottom of the second inning, when 3B Yamaico Navarro, who was making his first start with the Tribe after being recently optioned from Pittsburgh, singled in his first at bat and immediately scored on 1B Jeff Larish's double to left, the slugger's sixth of the season.

Indianapolis then added to their advantage with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning. 2B Brian Friday led off the frame with an infield single and advanced to second on a throwing error before scoring on SS Chase d'Arnaud's one-out single to center to make it 2-0. d'Arnaud then extended the Indians lead to 3-0 by scoring on LF Alex Presley's single to right.

The Tribe provided an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh, when C Jose Morales singled to lead off the inning and came all the way around to score on Friday's triple to the left-center-field gap. It was Friday's second triple of the season and gave the game it's final 4-0 score.

In support of VandenHurk, RHP Duke Welker (2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K) tossed two innings of scoreless relief, allowing just one hit while striking out one. Fellow righty reliever Bryan Morris (1.0 IP, 2 K) recorded two strikeouts in a perfect ninth inning, but was ineligible for a save due to the Tribe's 4-0 lead. Durham starter Matt Torra (5.1 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K) took the loss, falling to 4-6 on the season.

With the victory, Indianapolis (31-22) finishes the season series against Durham (23-32) with a 6-2 advantage, going 3-1 against the Bulls both in Durham and at Victory Field. The Indians will now begin a four-game series with the Syracuse Chiefs, Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, on Friday night and are expected to send RHP Jeff Karstens to the mound in a rehab start, while Syracuse is scheduled to counter with RHP Yunesky Maya (3-5, 3.36). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.

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-WFBQ-HD2, 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 6:55 p.m.

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