Big Fourth Inning Paces Indians to 11-6 Victory

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The Indianapolis Indians offense scored early and often and surged to an 11-6 victory over the Rochester Red Wings on Friday night. The Indians tied a season-high when they gained separation and scored seven runs in the top of the fourth inning.

The scoring began almost immediately for Indianapolis (26-20) in the first inning. After a one-out walk, Max Moroff connected for a home run to left-center field. The two-run blast was Moroff's 13^th of the season, which moved him into a tie for the top spot in the International League with Lehigh Valley's Rhys Hoskins.
Austin Meadows belted a two-run home run of his own in the top of the third inning. It was Meadows' third homer of the season, and it was on the heels of a three-hit night less than 24 hours before Friday's game.
The big inning for the Tribe began when Elias Díaz doubled to open the fourth inning. After Phil Gosselin drove Diaz home with a single, Christopher Bostick lined a double into the left-field corner to advance Gosselin and Eric Wood home. Bostick, who grew up in Rochester, N.Y., finished the night with two hits and two runs scored. Meadows, Moroff, and Jason Rogers would each add runs batted in during the seven-run rally.
Rochester (20-21) would collect 12 hits in the defeat. Home runs by Daniel Palka and Niko Goodrum helped keep the Red Wings in the game, but the big fourth inning proved too much to overcome.
Dan Runzler (1-2) worked out of the bullpen for Indianapolis to earn the victory for the Indians.
Nick Tepesch (1-3) started for Rochester and was handed the loss. He allowed nine runs on seven hits before he was removed in the fourth inning.
Indianapolis is now six games above .500, which matches a season high. The Tribe and Red Wings will play game two of the four-game series on Saturday night, first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.