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Tribe Pull Away in Seventh to Earn First Win in Charlotte

Indy produced four runs against two different relievers to break the tie
Johnny Hellweg relieved in the fifth inning Saturday night, allowing just one run and no hits after entering with the bases loaded and one out. (Photo by Adam Pintar)
May 26, 2018

CHARLOTTE - The Indians took advantage of a bases-loaded, no-outs scenario in Charlotte's first turn to the bullpen Saturday night, bringing four men home to win 6-2. Indy's pitching staff didn't allow an extra base hit and stranded 10 Knights runners on base.

CHARLOTTE - The Indians took advantage of a bases-loaded, no-outs scenario in Charlotte's first turn to the bullpen Saturday night, bringing four men home to win 6-2. Indy's pitching staff didn't allow an extra base hit and stranded 10 Knights runners on base.

Starter Alex McRae walked Patrick Leonard to begin the second inning, and Juan Perez got the party started for Charlotte (18-30) with a ground ball RBI single to score him. 
Indy (25-21) promptly answered in the next half inning. Christopher Bostick doubled in Erich Weiss, who also doubled to lead off the frame, for his first RBI of the series. Bostick moved into a tie for the team lead with his 15th double. Jordan Luplow grounded out to shortstop for the second out, but with Pablo Reyes on third, he knocked in the go-ahead run and gave the Tribe a 2-1 lead.
Michael Saunders also plated a run with a ball on the ground, hustling out a would-be double-play to earn an RBI and tie the game in the fifth. 
Normally filling the closing role, Johnny Hellweg entered in a jam with one out in the fifth inning. With the bases loaded, his only run allowed was Saunders' hustle play.
The game remained tied until the seventh. Indy managed to get its first three hitters on base, chasing Robbie Ross Jr. who relieved starter Jordan Stephens at the start of the inning. 
Gregory Infante entered for Ross Jr., and after Kevin Newman and Reyes drove in runs, Infante relieved some pressure after Weiss was gunned down trying to take home on a Bostick fly ball.
But Luplow's screaming grounder blazed past third baseman Patrick Leonard, scoring two more and ballooning the lead to four runs, where it would stay.  
Jesus Liranzo and Dovydas Neverauskas held off Charlotte over the final three innings. The two combined to toss four strikeouts, three from Neverauskas to retire the side in the ninth, and neither allowed a hit. 
The two clubs resume the series Sunday at 7:04 p.m., the final night game of the four-game set. J.T. Brubaker (2-0, 2.65) will man the mound for the Indians while Donn Roach (3-2, 3.78) is expected to start for the Knights.
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.