Vasquez Vaults Tribe To 2-1 Win Over Clippers
Published on August 12, 2009 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release
INDIANAPOLIS -- Starting pitcher Virgil Vasquez allowed just one run on three hits over seven dominating innings of work to earn his seventh victory of the season and lead the Indianapolis Indians past the Columbus Clippers 2-1 on Wednesday afternoon at Victory Field.
With the win the Indians improve to 58-59 on the season and 31-28 at home, while the Clippers fall to 49-67 overall and 23-36 on the road with the loss. The win gives Indianapolis the 2-1 series victory and evens the season series between the two clubs at seven games apiece.
Vasquez (7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO) dominated in his seven innings of work as the right hander allowed just three hits and struck out four to pick up his second victory since re-joining the Indians on August 2. Vasquez, who improved to 7-2 with the win also continued to show excellent control as he walked only two batters to extend his season streak to 16 straight games with two walks or less.
The only blemish in Vasquez's excellent effort was a second inning long ball by Columbus 1B Matt LaPorta, who blasted his team leading 15th homer of the season over the right field wall to lead off the second frame. Outside of LaPorta's solo shot Vasquez would cut down the Clipper's offense for the rest of his outing and receive just enough run support from the bats of DH Jeff Clement and CF Brian Bixler to lead Indianapolis to victory.
Clement quickly tied the score at one when he led off the Indians' half of the second with a solo blast of his own to deep right field. The long ball was Clement's sixth in just 11 games since joining the Indians from the Seattle Mariners as part of the Jack Wilson/Ian Snell trade and his third all ready at Victory Field.
Then with the score knotted at one heading into the fifth, Bixler would lead what turned out to be the game-winning two-out rally when he lined a single to left, moved to third on a base hit by C Robinzon Diaz, and scored the game-winning tally on a base knock by LF Brian Myrow. The back-to-back-to-back two-out base hits not only accounted for three of the Tribe's seven total hits, but also helped them come away with the 2-1 series victory.
Bixler also added a lead-off single in the first to extend his Indians' season best hitting streak to 14 games during which time the multi-dimensional utility man is batting .379 (22-for-58) with 15 runs, three home runs and 11 RBI. The right handed slugger has also now reached base in 22 consecutive contests, during which time he collected 10 multi-hit efforts and is batting .359 (33-for-92) with 18 runs, six home runs and 17 RBI.
Bixler (2-for-4, 1 R) and Robinzon Diaz (2-for-4) turned in the only multi-hit performances for either team on the afternoon, while Myrow and Clement collected the Tribe's only RBI.
The Indianapolis bullpen also continued its dominant work of late as RHP Juan Mateo (1.0 IP, 1 H) and RHP Jean Machi (1.0 IP, 1 SO) tossed two scoreless innings of relief to secure another one-run victory for the Tribe. Mateo was credited with his fifth hold of the season, while Machi earned his second save as the Indians' bullpen improved to 2-1 with six saves and a 1.38 ERA (7 ER in 45.2 IP) in their 45.2 innings at home since the All-Star break.
The Columbus bullpen also turned in a top notch effort as RHP Frank Herrmann (2.0 IP, 4 SO) and LHP Rich Rundles (1.0 IP, 1 SO) combined for five strikeouts over three perfect innings of relief. Clipper's starter Ryan Edell (5.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO) battled through five innings and was a tough luck loser as he dropped to 0-4 on the season despite allowing just two runs on seven hits.
Indianapolis will begin a seven-game road trip starting with a four-game series at Columbus beginning on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. Defending International League Pitcher of the Week Eric Hacker is scheduled to start for the Indians, while RHP Hector Rondon is expected to get the nod for the Clippers.
The contest will be carried by WXLW-950 AM and www.IndyIndians.com with Howard Kellman and Scott McCauley. The pre-game show begins at 6:45 p.m.
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Post-game quote -- INF Brian Bixler
(on Indians' starting pitching Virgil Vasquez)
"He did a great job because he stuck with his stuff and located well. We played a little D behind him and he did great."
(on what is working at the plate)
"I feel good now because I'm sticking with my approach and put the best swing on the ball that I can. I just want to keep getting good at bats and get pitches to hit. Fortunately I have been able to do that and I hope to continue it."
(on Indians' DH Jeff Clement)
"It's not hard to tell that he is a good player. He is a good guy and a great teammate to have. He has a bright future and I'm glad to have him here."
International League Stories from August 12, 2009
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- SWB Yankees and Norfolk Rain Out - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees
- Tides rained out Wednesday - Norfolk Tides
- Vasquez Vaults Tribe To 2-1 Win Over Clippers - Indianapolis Indians
- Iwamura To Rehab With Durham - Durham Bulls
- Bisons Game Notes August 12th - Buffalo Bisons
- Huntington Park named Ballpark of the Year - Columbus Clippers
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