IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Walker, Tabata Lead Tribe to 5-4 Win

Published on May 2, 2010 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- Center fielder Jose Tabata and first baseman Neil Walker combined to go 6-for-8 with five runs scored and three RBI and the Indianapolis Indians weathered a late rally to earn a hard-fought 5-4 win over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Sunday afternoon at Coca-Cola Park.

The win moves the Indians' record to 12-12, while the loss drops the IronPigs to 10-13 on the season. The Tribe's victory was also the team's third win at Coca-Cola Park in 10 tries since Lehigh Valley became a member of the International League prior to the 2008 season.

Tabata and Walker teamed up in the first inning to give the Indians an early 2-0 advantage over the IronPigs. Tabata singled to lead off the game, then, after stealing second base, scored on Walker's first triple of the season. LF Brian Myrow then gave the Tribe a 2-0 lead with a run-scoring groundout to drive in Walker.

Walker struck again in the third inning, this time blasting a two-run home run to right field to plate Tabata - who had led off the frame with a single - and give the Indians a 4-0 lead.

Indianapolis scored a lone run in the fifth inning on an RBI-groundout by 3B Pedro Alvarez to take a 5-0 advantage. Tabata again led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a base on balls by Walker. A double steal by Tabata and Walker, who rank first and second on the Indians' roster in thefts, set the stage for Alvarez's run-scoring out.

Lehigh Valley rallied with three runs in the home half of the sixth inning to cut the Indianapolis lead to 5-3. SS Brian Bocock led off the frame with a line drive single just out of Tabata's reach and later moved to second on a bunt single by reliever Brian Gordon. After a passed ball advanced runners to second and third with no one out, former Indians' OF Rich Thompson plated two runs with a line drive single. The IronPigs also tacked on an additional run in the frame on a RBI-groundout by LF John Mayberry.

The IronPigs pulled to within a run of the Tribe at 5-4 with a single run in the home half of the eighth inning. Indians' RHP Steven Jackson recorded the first two outs of the inning on back-to-back groundouts before Lehigh Valley mounted a comeback attempt. Thompson singled to center and, after stealing second base, came around to score on 2B Luis Maza's line drive base knock. A walk put runners at first and second before Tribe LHP Wil Ledezma struck out 1B Andy Tracy to end the IronPigs' threat.

In his first career start at the Triple-A level, RHP Mike Crotta (7.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO) earned the win for the Tribe after allowing just two earned runs in seven solid innings of work, while Ledezma (1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO) held the IronPigs scoreless over 1.1 IP to earn his third save of the season. Lehigh Valley starter Nate Bump (5.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO) was strapped with his first loss of the season after allowing five runs in five innings of work.

Tabata (4-for-5, 3 R, 1 2B, 3 SB) and Walker (2-for-3, 2 R, 1 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB) paced the Tribe offensively, while Thompson (3-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI) was the only hitter to record multiple hits for the IronPigs.

The two teams continue their four-game series on Monday, May 3 at 7:05 p.m. RHP Jeremy Powell is expected to get the call for Indianapolis, while LHP Joe Savery is the probable starter for Lehigh Valley.

The contest will be carried by WXLW-950 AM and www.IndyIndians.com with Howard Kellman and Scott McCauley on the call. The pre-game show begins at 6:45 p.m.

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International League Stories from May 2, 2010


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