Indians Pitching Beats the Heat with Shutout Gem

INDIANAPOLIS – On a blistering summer afternoon at Victory Field, a key two-run double by Josh Bissonette and a gem by the Indianapolis Indians pitching staff quickly defeated the Memphis Redbirds on Wednesday, 2-0.

The 2:06 game time is tied for the Indians’ second-shortest nine-inning game and is tied with April 23 vs. Columbus for the shortest nine-inning contest at Victory Field this season.

The pace of play was led, in large part, by the efficiency of the Indians (34-32) pitching staff. Osvaldo Bido led the shutout charge and surrendered just one hit over 4.0 scoreless innings. With back-to-back singles to lead off the top of the fifth inning, Joe Jacques (W, 1-1) induced two groundouts, one turned from third to second by Josh Bissonette to retire a pair, and escape a jam.

Following the dazzling double play at the hands of the Indians third baseman, Bissonette tallied the only two runs of the game in the bottom of the fifth. Following a Jared Oliva leadoff single and one-out walk, Bissonette roped a double between the 3-4 hole on the right-side of the infield and into the corner to plate a pair against Memphis starter Jake Woodford (L, 0-2).

Zach Matson, Hunter Stratton and Austin Brice (S, 5) then combined to hold the shutout through the final four innings, with just three baserunners allowed between the three.

Indians pitching also held the Redbirds (38-30) to 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position. They stranded the leadoff runner at third base with no outs in each of the first two innings.

It was Indianapolis’ fourth shutout of the season and the first since May 17 vs. Toledo. Two of those four shutouts have come at Victory Field.

The Indians will look to build on their early 2-0 lead in the series vs. Memphis tomorrow night at 7:05 PM ET at Victory Field. RHP Cody Bolton (1-1, 3.05) will take the mound for Indy vs. RHP Thomas Parsons (4-1, 4.08).