INDIANAPOLIS - Indy backed Tyler Eppler's shimmering seven innings with timely extra base hits to take Thursday's game, 4-0, and the series from Louisville. Eppler struck out nine and didn't allow a runner to second base until the sixth inning.
INDIANAPOLIS - Indy backed Tyler Eppler's shimmering seven innings with timely extra base hits to take Thursday's game, 4-0, and the series from Louisville. Eppler struck out nine and didn't allow a runner to second base until the sixth inning.
The Tribe's first three batters all reached safely to begin the second inning. Eric Wood doubled to left center, Erich Weiss took first after getting plunked and Pablo Reyes snuck a grounder just inside of third base to score them both. Eppler laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Reyes to third before Kevin Newman singled up the middle to make the lead 3-0.
Jordan Luplow led off the very next inning with a double, his 10th of the season. He came around to score on another Wood two-bagger two at-bats later. With two doubles on the day, Wood moved into the team lead with 15. That mark also gives him a tie for second most in the International League.
Luplow and Wood joined Max Moroff as Tribesman with multiple hits in the game. Moroff notched three hits to lead all batters while Luplow and Wood registered two apiece.
Entering the sixth inning, Eppler (W, 4-2) had allowed a single hit, an infield dribbler from Josh VanMeter four innings prior. Though the gunslinger surrendered three more hits in the sixth, he battled to escape the inning unscathed before Josh Smoker and Bo Schultz kept the shutout intact.
No Louisville (14-29) runner reached third base until the final frame of the afternoon. The Bats also failed to record a hit for extra bases, giving the Indians their fifth contest this season without allowing one.
For Louisville, Zach Neal (L, 2-2) received the loss after allowing all Indy (24-20) four runs through five innings of work. The win gives the Indians its seventh series win of the campaign and fourth against a divisional opponent.
The Tribe hits the road for a weekend series in Charlotte, their second series against the Knights this year. Nick Kingham will start on the hill on Friday, his first start with Indy since May 9 at Louisville. Charlotte has not yet revealed its starter for Friday's matchup.
The Indians return to The Vic after the holiday weekend to take on Gwinnett and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as a part of a six-game homestand. To purchase tickets for any Indians home game, contact the Victory Field Box Office at 317-269-2282 or [email protected]. For more on the Tribe, visit IndyIndians.com.
