Zambrano Leads Indians To 9-3 Win Over Clippers
Published on August 30, 2007 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release
INDIANAPOLIS -- Right-hander Victor Zambrano scattered four hits over six innings, while catcher Milver Reyes and second baseman Yurendell de Caster each knocked in three runs as Indianapolis breezed through a 9-3 win over Columbus in front of 7,217 Thursday night at Victory Field.
The Indians improve to 70-69 overall and 39-31 at home, while the Clippers fall to 62-77 on the season and 29-40 on the road. The Tribe has been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, but still has a chance to register its third straight winning season.
Zambrano (6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO) earned his second-straight win, improving to 5-2. The 32-year-old retired 13 consecutive batters between the first and sixth and faced just four hitters over the minimum.
Indianapolis busted out to a three-run lead by plating four runs in the second. SS Brian Bixler ignited the two-out rally with his 22nd double of the season to left. LF Nyjer Morgan then highlighted the frame with an RBI double to right, while de Caster drove in a pair of runs with a bases-loaded, bloop single to right.
The Indians secured the victory with five more runs in the fourth. CF Andrew McCutchen got things started by reaching on a fielding error before de Caster brought him plateward with his team-best 25th two-bagger of the year to left. Reyes keyed the big inning with his first Triple-A double of 2007 down the right-field line to score 3B Neil Walker and Bixler.
Columbus opened the game with one run when 2B Bernie Castro singled to left, moved to second on a wild pitch, advanced to third on LF Kory Casto's base knock to left and raced home on 3B Brent Abernathy's infield single.
The Clippers tallied a pair of runs in their final at-bat when 1B Larry Broadway smacked his 12th homer of the campaign -- a solo-shot to right center -- and Abernathy scored on SS Melvin Dorta's RBI groundout.
Reyes (3-for-3, 1 R, 3 RBI) recorded his first three-hit game at the Triple-A level and his first since Aug. 4, 2006. McCutchen (2-for-3, 1 R), de Caster (2-for-5, 1 R, 3 RBI) and Bixler (2-for-3, 2 R, 1 RBI) also collected multi-hit performances for the Tribe.
Columbus LHP Billy Traber (3.2 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO) suffered the loss, falling to 2-3.
Indianapolis wraps up its final homestand of 2007 on Friday and Saturday against Louisville. The Bats have yet to announce a starter for the series opener at 7 p.m., while RHP Bryan Bullington is slated to 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 6:40 p.m.
Fans will be treated to the final post-game fireworks spectacular of the season courtesy of Coors Light. Spider Man will entertain fans with a special meet and greet session during the game, while the first 5,000 fans will also receive a special edition Triple-A Baseball Marvel Comic Book.
International League Stories from August 30, 2007
- Wings Split, Pick up Ground in Wild Card Race - Rochester Red Wings
- Zambrano Leads Indians To 9-3 Win Over Clippers - Indianapolis Indians
- Bulls Take Command Of South With Win - Gwinnett Stripers
- Lynx Make History With Split - Ottawa Lynx
- Phillips keeps Tides low - Norfolk Tides
- One Thousand Wins, Countless Memories - Ottawa Lynx
- Ennis Is Back For The Home Stretch - Ottawa Lynx
- Bisons Notes - Buffalo Bisons
- Clippers Nautical Notes - Columbus Clippers
- International League News And Notes - IL1
- Pirates Opening Day Starter To Join Tribe On Rehab - Indianapolis Indians
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