ALLENTOWN, PA. - Eduardo Vera fanned a season-high seven batters and the Indianapolis Indians rolled to the win over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Saturday night, 6-1. Jason Martin and Will Craig each collected three hits to back Vera's gem.
ALLENTOWN, PA. - Eduardo Vera fanned a season-high seven batters and the Indianapolis Indians rolled to the win over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Saturday night, 6-1. Jason Martin and Will Craig each collected three hits to back Vera's gem.
Vera had faced just one batter above the minimum when Indianapolis (18-16) went in front in the top of the fourth. Martin opened the inning with a walk, then proceeded to steal both second and third. After Kevin Kramer walked, Craig lined a single to center to plate Martin. Indy led 1-0 after four innings.
The Indians advanced two more runs home in the fifth. Jake Elmore walked, and Christian Kelley singled to commence the rally. Vera laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance both before Martin lined a hit up the middle that struck Lehigh Valley (19-15) starter Drew Anderson's lower leg. Elmore scored on the play, and Kelley moved to third. Ke'Bryan Hayes then hit into a fielder's choice to plate Kelley.
The IronPigs scored their only run of the game in the bottom of the fifth, but Indy brought it back with three insurance runs in the ninth. Trayvon Robinson singled and later scored when Martin capped his night with his third hit, a single to left field. Later in the inning a wild pitch advanced Martin home, and Hayes scampered to the plate as well when the ball was not retrieved quickly.
Vera (1-3) allowed just one run over his six innings and fanned seven batters. He only conceded five hits and issued just one walk. Jake Brentz relieved him in the seventh and retired all six batters he faced in his Triple-A debut. Brandon Waddell worked the ninth to complete the victory.
Anderson (0-3) left the game after getting struck by the liner. He also received the loss, as he allowed three runs in four and one-third innings.
The Indians will go for the sweep in the finale of the road trip on Sunday afternoon, first pitch is slated for 1:35 p.m. Rookie Davis (0-3, 6.30) will start for Indy on Mother's Day. The club returns home to Victory Field on Tuesday, May 14.
