Votto Lifts Bats to 4-2 Win Over Indians
Published on August 31, 2007 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release
INDIANAPOLIS -- First baseman Joey Votto collected a pair of RBI doubles, while right-hander Justin Mallett scattered just four hits over five frames as Louisville posted a 4-2 win over Indianapolis in front of 12,635 Friday night at Victory Field.
The Bats improve to 71-70 overall and 34-37 on the road, while the Indians fall to 70-70 on the season and 39-32 at home. The Tribe has been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, but still has a chance to register its third straight winning season.
Mallett (5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO) picked up the win in the first Triple-A start of his five-year professional career. Bats LHP Tyler Pelland (2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 SO) and RHP Ricky Stone (2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 SO) combined for four scoreless innings of relief, with Pelland collecting his sixth hold and Stone notching his team-leading 15th save.
Louisville grabbed a lead it would not relinquish by plating two runs in the sixth. 2B Luis Bolivar started things with a base knock to left and raced home on Votto's (2-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI) 21st double of the season to left. Votto trotted plateward moments later on LF Buck Coats' (2-for-4, 2 RBI) single to center.
The Bats knotted the contest with two runs in the fourth. Bolivar was hit by a pitch and scored on Votto's two-bagger to right. Coats and Votto then traded places on a double to left.
Indianapolis recorded two runs in the third when RHP Bryan Bullington singled to center, moved to second on a passed ball and scored on LF Andrew McCutchen's double to right center. McCutchen then raced plateward with a pair of stolen bases.
The Indians tied a season high with six thefts in the contest. 1B Yurendell de Caster (2), CF Nyjer Morgan (2) and McCutchen (2) each swiped two bases in the affair.
Bullington (7.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 6 SO) suffered his third straight loss, falling to 11-9.
Indianapolis closes out the home portion of its 2007 schedule on Saturday at 6 p.m., when the teams return to Victory Field. RHP Victor Santos is expected to get the nod for the Bats, while LHP Zach Duke is slated to make a Major League rehabilitation start for the Indians.
The contest will be carried by ESPN-950 AM and IndyIndians.com with Howard Kellman and Scott McCauley. The pre-game show begins at 5:40 p.m.
Five End-of-the-Year player awards will be given away during a special pre-game ceremony, while the Tribe's 2007 Most Valuable Player will also be recognized.
Indians players and coaches will be giving away autographed, game-worn jerseys immediately following the game. Fans can register to win one of the jerseys through the fourth inning.
White River State Park will also play host to HANK-FM's annual SkyConcert. Fans will be invited down to the Victory Field playing surface for the fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.
International League Stories from August 31, 2007
- Votto Lifts Bats to 4-2 Win Over Indians - Indianapolis Indians
- Wings Can't Dig Out of Early Hole - Rochester Red Wings
- Tides Fall to the Richmond Braves 6-2 - Norfolk Tides
- Braves Sink Tide - Gwinnett Stripers
- Sandoval Sends Them Home Happy - Ottawa Lynx
- Bulls Clinch Playoff Spot With Win Over Knights - Durham Bulls
- Davis Has A Date With The Phillies - Ottawa Lynx
- Bulls release 2008 schedule - Durham Bulls
- Bisons Notes - Buffalo Bisons
- Throw For A Thousand - Ottawa Lynx
- Scranton/WB & Toledo Are In; Four Teams Battle for Final Two Spots This Weekend - IL1
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
