Barkett Bound for Boston after One Season in Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS - After sending 17 players to the big leagues - eight of whom made their major league debuts in 2017 - and adding a 79-win season and International League West Division title to his 11-year coaching resume, manager Andy Barkett's long-awaited journey back to the majors finally came to
INDIANAPOLIS - After sending 17 players to the big leagues - eight of whom made their major league debuts in 2017 - and adding a 79-win season and International League West Division title to his 11-year coaching resume, manager Andy Barkett's long-awaited journey back to the majors finally came to fruition over the weekend.
The one-year manager of the Indianapolis Indians will join the Red Sox as the club's assistant hitting coach in 2018, announced by the club on Saturday, Nov. 4. Barkett's announcement coincided with Boston naming Tim Hyers as hitting coach. Both Barkett and Hyers worked in the Tigers organization when Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski was Detroit's general manager.
Barkett's tenure as the Tribe's 60th field manager in team history, albeit a one-year run, was defined by his ability to not only produce a winning product on the field, but to relate to the players, fans and front office personnel on a daily basis.
"It was a pleasure to watch Andy [Barkett] produce positive results from his players both on and off the field in 2017," said Indianapolis Indians president and general manager Randy Lewandowski. "His clubhouse demeanor, interactions with fans and contributions to our community relations efforts will not be forgotten. We wish him the best of luck as his career continues onto Boston."
The Miami, Fla. native's 79 wins marked the second-highest total by a Tribe skipper in his first year at the helm in the Victory Field era. Under Barkett, the Tribe won their fourth division title in six seasons before being bounced in the Governors' Cup Semifinals by Durham, the eventual Triple-A National Champions.
"I want to thank the Pittsburgh Pirates organization as well as the Indianapolis Indians for an amazing 2017 season," said Barkett. "The city of Indianapolis and the fans at Victory Field are second to none. The Indians organization is first class in all aspects of operation.
"I will always cherish the memories that we created in a very special 2017 season," Barkett continued. "Thank you to the Indians staff and front office for helping my long journey to the big leagues become a reality. The Pittsburgh Pirates are one of the best organizations in all of baseball and have helped prepare me for this opportunity. I'm very thankful to the Pirates and Indians for making this dream come true."
Barkett has accrued a lifetime managerial record of 610-569 (.517) over nine seasons, reaching the postseason three times.
Barkett played 11 seasons professionally with Texas, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Seattle and Detroit between 1995 and 2005. He made his major league debut with the Pirates on May 28, 2001 vs. Florida and hit .304 (14-for-46) with two doubles, one homer and three RBI in 17 contests.
Pittsburgh has not yet announced its minor league field staffs for 2018.
Seven-Run Seventh Sends Indians to 10-3 Win Over Memphis
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Indianapolis Indians offense shook off a slow start on Wednesday night and erupted for seven runs in the seventh inning to defeat the Memphis Redbirds at AutoZone Park, 10-3. Brett Sullivan paced the Indy offense with three hits and was just a home run shy of
Indians Toppled by Trio of Seventh Inning Runs
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Indianapolis Indians threatened with a ninth-inning rally but were ultimately vanquished by a three-run seventh from the Memphis Redbirds as they fell, 4-2, on Tuesday night at AutoZone Park.
Indians Defeated by Sounds in Series Finale
INDIANAPOLIS – Jack Suwinski launched his seventh Triple-A home run of the season as the Indianapolis Indians fell to the Nashville Sounds in Sunday’s series finale at Victory Field, 11-1.
Barco Stifles Sounds as Indy’s Offense Explodes for Eight Runs
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Indians scored a run in four of the first five frames, including a four-run third, to take Saturday night’s contest against the Nashville Sounds at Victory Field, 8-4, and clinch their fourth consecutive series win at home.
Fraizer Flips Sounds Script for Indians Comeback Win
INDIANAPOLIS – Matt Fraizer’s go-ahead RBI single in the eighth inning propelled the Indianapolis Indians to a 5-4 comeback victory over the Nashville Sounds on Friday night at Victory Field.
Drake Fellows Named Indians May Player of the Month
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Indians today named reliever Drake Fellows as their May Player of the Month after he allowed only one earned run and struck out 14 batters across five appearances in the month. He is the first Indians reliever to receive the award since Hunter Stratton in Aug.
Suwinski, Sullivan Homers Boost Indians to 7-1 Win
INDIANAPOLIS – A pair of two-run homers by Jack Suwinski and Brett Sullivan, and 8.1 shutout innings from the pitching staff led the Indianapolis Indians to a 7-1 win over the Nashville Sounds on Thursday night at Victory Field.
Sounds Snap Indians Eight-Game Home Winning Streak
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Indians scored multiple runs in three separate frames, but it was not enough to overcome a pair of four-run innings from the Nashville Sounds as they dropped Game 2 of their six-game set, 9-6, on Wednesday night at Victory Field.
Indians Earn Eighth Straight Win at Victory Field Behind Chen’s Gem
INDIANAPOLIS – A first-inning RBI groundout by Nick Yorke and second-inning RBI infield single by Billy Cook were the decisive runs in the Indianapolis Indians 2-1 win over the Nashville Sounds on Monday night at Victory Field.
Right-handed Pitcher Braxton Ashcraft Recalled by Pittsburgh
INDIANAPOLIS – The Pittsburgh Pirates today recalled right-handed pitcher Braxton Ashcraft. He is set to become the fourth former Indianapolis Indian and third member of the 2025 squad to make his major league debut this season, following right-handed pitcher Thomas Harrington, infielder Tsung-Che Cheng and outfielder Matt Gorski.
Indians Shut Out by Toledo in Series Finale, 8-0
TOLEDO, Ohio – The Indianapolis Indians were held scoreless by the Toledo Mud Hens in Sunday evening’s series finale at Fifth Third Field, 8-0.
Hens Walk Off Indians to Spoil Chandler’s Gem
TOLEDO, Ohio – Bubba Chandler took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, but the Toledo Mud Hens scored five runs after his departure, including a walk-off single in the ninth, to top the Indianapolis Indians on Saturday evening at Fifth Third Field, 5-4.
Mlodzinski Dazzles as Indians Blank Hens, 4-0
TOLEDO, Ohio – Carmen Mlodzinski struck out a career-high 10 batters over six scoreless frames and Nick Yorke delivered a clutch pinch-hit double that salted the lead as the Indianapolis Indians shutout the Toledo Mud Hens at Fifth Third Field on Friday night, 4-0.
Indians Swept in Doubleheader at Toledo
TOLEDO, Ohio – The Indianapolis Indians were swept by the Toledo Mud Hens in a 7.0-inning doubleheader at Fifth Third Field on Thursday night. Toledo took Game 1, 2-1, and shut out Indy, 5-0, in Game 2.
Toledo Topples Indy 3-0 Behind a Pair of Solo Homers
TOLEDO, Ohio – The Toledo Mud Hens jumped on top of the Indianapolis Indians in the third inning and never looked back as a pair of solo homers fueled them to a 3-0 victory in a rain-shortened seven-inning contest on Wednesday afternoon at Fifth Third Field.
Indians at Mud Hens Postponed Due to Inclement Weather
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Indians have announced that Tuesday night’s game at Toledo has been postponed due to inclement weather. This game will be made up on Thursday, May 22, as part of a doubleheader at Fifth Third Field. First pitch for Game 1 is scheduled at 5:35 PM, with
Indians Clinch Six-Game Sweep over Louisville Bats
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Indians put up back-to-back two-run innings – the second of which featured a DJ Stewart sacrifice fly to plate a pair – to defeat the Louisville Bats 4-3 on Sunday afternoon and close out a six-game sweep at Victory Field.
Indians Sweep Doubleheader; Look for Series Sweep on Sunday
INDIANAPOLIS – Jack Suwinski’s three-run homer in the first inning of Game 1 sparked a flurry of six unanswered runs in the first two frames as the Indianapolis Indians captured this week’s series over the Louisville Bats with a 6-4 win in the doubleheader opener on Saturday night at Victory
Bats vs. Indians Postponed Due to Inclement Weather
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Indians have announced that Friday night’s game vs. Louisville has been postponed due to inclement weather. This game will be made up tomorrow as part of a single-admission doubleheader at Victory Field, with Game 1 first pitch scheduled for 5:30 PM. Game 2 will begin approximately
Nick Gonzales Begins Rehab Assignment with Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS – The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced that second baseman Nick Gonzales is set to begin a major league rehab assignment with the Indianapolis Indians as they continue a six-game series against the Louisville Bats tonight at 7:05 PM. He is the sixth rehabber assigned to Indy this season following
Horwitz Homers as Indy Takes Down Louisville, 7-4
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Indians overcame an early deficit with a three-run first inning and staved off a comeback attempt by the Louisville Bats en route to a 7-4 win on Thursday afternoon at Victory Field.
Billy Cooks Up Game-Winning RBI with Ninth-Inning Walk-Off
INDIANAPOLIS – After a six-run comeback by the Louisville Bats to tie the game in the top of the ninth inning, Billy Cook hustled out a bouncing infield single up the middle to give the Indianapolis Indians a 9-8 walk-off win on Wednesday night at Victory Field.
Endy Rodríguez Begins Rehab Assignment with Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS – The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced that catcher and first baseman Endy Rodríguez will begin a major league rehab assignment with the Indianapolis Indians as they continue their six-game series against the Louisville Bats tonight at 6:05 PM. He is the fifth rehabber assigned to Indy this season, following
Bubba Chandler Fans Eight Batters in Series Opening Victory Over Bats
INDIANAPOLIS – Behind a scoreless five innings from Bubba Chandler and a go-ahead two-run single from Darick Hall in the eighth, the Indianapolis Indians emerged victorious in the series opener over the Louisville Bats on Tuesday night at Victory Field, 3-1.
Burrows Buries Clippers in Indians Series-Clinching Shutout
INDIANAPOLIS - A sacrifice fly by Spencer Horwitz and an RBI single from Nick Solak in the third inning plated both Indianapolis Indians runs in a 2-0 shutout win over the Columbus Clippers on Sunday afternoon at Victory Field. Starting pitcher Mike Burrows struck out a career-high 11 batters across