2009 Spring Training Updates

April 1 -- Indianapolis 3, Scranton/W-B 2

Indians catchers Robinzon Diaz and Miguel Perez both slugged triples as the Indianapolis Indians defeated the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees 3-1 on Wednesday April 1 at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla.

Diaz went 2-for-2 on the day with two triples as he recorded his third straight multi-hit game. Diaz came around to score on 1B Larry Broadway's single in the fifth, giving the Tribe a 1-0 lead.

Indians' OF Steve Pearce then started the sixth with a walk and trotted home after Perez followed with an RBI triple. Perez was then brought home on 1B Broadway's second hit of the game.

LHP Tom Gorzelanny (5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO) registered the win for the Tribe striking out six Yankees in five innings of work, while starter Phil Hughes (5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO) struck-out seven in a losing effort for Scranton.

LHP Dave Davidson (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 S0) pitched a scoreless ninth to pick-up the save for the Indians.

Transactions:
RHP Virgil Vasquez - optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis
RHP Denny Bautista - re-assigned to Minor League camp
RHP Chris Bootcheck - re-assigned to Minor League camp
RHP Jason Davis - re-assigned to Minor League camp
OF Garrett Jones - re-assigned to Minor League camp
C Erik Kratz - re-assigned to Minor League camp
INF/OF Andy Phillips - re-assigned to Minor League camp
OF Jeff Salazar - re-assigned to Minor League camp

MARCH 31 -- Indianapolis 2, Las Vegas 2

The Indianapolis Indians and Las Vegas 51's finished in a 2-2 stalemate in Spring Training action on Tuesday March 31 at the Englebert Complex in Dunedin, Fla. The tie is the fourth for the Tribe this spring, pulling them to an even record of 4-4-4.

The Indians jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first when 2B Shelby Ford doubled and came around to score on third baseman Neil Walker's single. Las Vegas tied the score at 1-1 with a run in the fourth.

Tribe RHP Jimmy Barthmaier (5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO) and 51's RHP Shawn Camp (3.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO) got the start for their respective teams and each allowed one run.

In the eighth inning Indians 1B Steve Pearce trotted home on catcher Robinzon Diaz's RBI double to give the Tribe a 2-1 lead. Both Pearce and Diaz finished the contest with two hits in four at-bats, giving Diaz back-to-back multi-hit games.

Former Indians pitcher Jonah Bayliss took the mound for Las Vegas and pitched a perfect ninth against his former club. The 51's then tied the game in the bottom half of the inning, when DH Brett Harper hit a solo blast off Tribe RHP Romulo Sanchez to end the contest in a 2-2 tie.

MARCH 30 -- Indianapolis 7, Las Vegas 5

Indianapolis Indians 2008 MVP Neil Walker went 3-for-3 to lead the Tribe to a 7-5 victory over the Las Vegas 51's on Monday March 30 at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla. Walker was a home run shy of the cycle as he hit a single, double and triple and knocked in two runs in just three at-bats.

In the fifth inning center fielder and top prospect Jose Tabata walked and eventually came around to score on a three-run double by catcher Robinzon Diaz. Right fielder Steve Pearce kept the Indians bats hot in the sixth as he slugged the eventual game-winning two-run home run off Las Vegas reliever Brian Burress.

RHP Brian Slocum (4.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO) picked up the win after allowing just one run in four innings of relief, while 51's RHP Matt Clement (4.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 0 SO) was tagged with the loss.

Tribe RHP Juan Mateo (1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO) allowed one run in the ninth, but held off the 51's to earn his second save of Spring Training.

Transactions:
OF Andrew McCutchen - optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis
INF Brian Bixler - re-assigned to Minor League camp

MARCH 28 -- Indianapolis 6, Scranton/W-B 6

The Indianapolis Indians and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees played to a 6-6 tie Saturday March 28 at the Yankees Complex in Tampa, Fla.

The Indians lit-up Yankees starter Chien-Ming Wang (5.0 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO) for four runs on nine hits over the first five innings of play.

INF Pedro Lopez and Larry Broadway got things rolling for the Tribe with solo home runs off of Wang in the first. Broadway (3-5, 2 R, 3 RBI) also provided the game tying two-run double in the seventh inning off of Yankees reliever Zach Kroenke.

Scranton kept things close in the early going, with three solo homers in the first two innings. DH Nick Swisher launched the first long ball in the first inning, before Edwar Gonzalez and Eric Duncan followed with solo shots of their own in the second.

Along with Swisher, fellow New York Yankee Jorge Posada again saw action with Scranton. However, Indianapolis hurlers held down the Major Leaguers, allowing a combined two hits in nine at-bats.

Tribe starter Daniel McCutchen (4 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO)again fell victim to his Achilles heel of giving up the long ball, as he surrendered three homers in just four innings of work.

Transactions:
C Robinzon Diaz - optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis
OF/1B Steve Pearce - optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis
INF Anderson Machado - re-assigned to Minor League camp

MARCH 27 -- Indianapolis 5, Scranton/W-B 5

The Indianapolis Indians and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees played to a 5-5 tie Friday March 27 at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla.

Pirates left-hander Paul Maholm (7.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 6 SO) made the start for the Indians striking out six in seven innings, while RHP Kei Igawa (4.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER 2 BB, 2 SO) gave up three runs in the first four innings for the Yankees.

Scranton jumped out to a one nothing lead in the third, but were quickly answered by Pirates SS Jack Wilson's sacrifice fly in the bottom half of the inning. The Indians then took a 3-1 lead with two runs in the fourth, before Yankees DH Edwar Gonzalez blasted a grand slam in the seventh to put Scranton back on top at 4-3.

Tribe CF James Boone led off the eighth with a solo home run to bring the Indians to within one run heading into the ninth.

INF Pedro Lopez then led off the Indians ninth with a double and came around to tie the score on a single by INF Brian Friday. The Tribe continued to threaten as INF Jason Delaney singled to put runners on first and second with no outs. However, Yankees RHP Jason Stephens was able to survive the jam as he forced a double play and fly out to end the game in a 5-5 tie.

MARCH 26 -- Indianapolis 3, Las Vegas 2

First baseman Hector Gimenez' fourth inning homerun was the difference as the Indianapolis Indians held off the Las Vegas 51's 3-2 on Thursday March 26 at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla.

Shortstop Brian Friday was the offensive star for the Tribe going 4-for-4 and scoring two runs, while Gimenez' fourth inning solo shot proved to be the game-winner.

Indians RHP Jimmy Barthmaier (4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO) tossed four scoreless innings striking out three en route to his second spring victory, while Las Vegas LHP Mike Maroth (3 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO) was handed the loss after allowing two runs in three innings of work.

The 51's threatened in the ninth with a one-out double, but were shut down by Tribe RHP Juan Mateo (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO) who recorded two straight outs to pickup the save.

MARCH 25 -- Las Vegas 7, Indianapolis 0

Former Pittsburgh Pirates No. 1 overall draft pick and Ball State standout Bryan Bullington tossed 4.2 scoreless innings and picked up the win for the Las Vegas 51's over the Indianapolis Indians on Wednesday March 25 at the Englebert Complex in Dunedin, Fla.

Bullington (4.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO) and fellow former Indian T.J. Beam held down the Tribe offense for the first six innings of the game.

The Indians were held to just four hits in the contest, two of which came off the bat of INF Pedro Lopez.

RHP Brian Slocum (3 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO) took the loss for the Tribe allowing three runs on four hits.

MARCH 24 -- Lehigh Valley 16, Indianapolis 8

Indianapolis Indians outfielder Jonel Pacheco and infielder Ray Chang both homered in a late comeback attempt that fell short as the Tribe were outslugged 16-8 by the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs on Tuesday March 24 at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla.

Pacheco continues to swing a hot bat for the Indians, following up his 3-for-3 effort on Sunday with a ninth inning longball on Tuesday.

Tribe right hander Ty Taubenheim (4 IP, 8 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 2 SO, 1 BB, 2 SO) was handed the loss after allowing eight runs over four innings of work, while Lehigh Valley RHP Andrew Carpenter picked up the win (4.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 SO) striking out six over 4.2 shutout innings.

The two teams combined for 24 runs on 31 hits and each left eight runners stranded.

MARCH 23 -- Indianapolis 3, Lehigh Valley 2

Infielder Brian Friday's first inning homer was the difference as the Indianapolis Indians beat the Lehigh Valley IronPigs 3-2 in a rain-shortened exhibition game on Monday March 23 at the Carpenter Complex in Clearwater, Fla.

The Tribe jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead as Friday blasted his first spring homer off of Major League veteran and Wold Series Champion Jamie Moyer. The left-handed Moyer (5.2 IP, 10 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO) gave up ten hits and received the loss after 5.2 innings of work.

Indians top prospect Daniel McCutchen (4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO) went four scoreless innings for the win, allowing just two hits while striking out three.

Former Indianapolis Indian Chris Coste, who played with the Tribe in 2004, caught all six innings for Lehigh Valley.

MARCH 22 -- Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 3, Indianapolis 3

The Indians faced 2007 AL Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees on Sunday March 22 at the Yankees Complex in Tampa, Fla.

The Tribe tagged Sabathia (5.0 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 SO, 1 BB) for seven hits and one run in his five innings of work. Right hander Jimmy Barthmaier (3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 SO, 1 BB) made the start for the Indians and pitched three scoreless innings including a strikeout of five-time All-Star catcher Jorge Posada. Posada went 0-for-3 on the day despite excelling defensively where he threw out two Tribe runners.

Indians outfielder Jonel Pacheco highlighted the game going 3-for-3 with a run scored and collected two hits off of Sabathia.

The Tribe jumped out to the lead in the sixth scoring two runs off Yankees reliever Kanekoa Texeira. Indianapolis was two outs away from their second straight victory until Scranton designated hitter Edwar Gonzalez blasted a two-run shot with one out in the bottom of the ninth, ending the game in a 3-3 tie.

MARCH 21 -- Indianapolis 6, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 2

Indianapolis jumped out to a quick lead on their way to a 6-2 win over the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees on Saturday March 21 at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla.

2008 Indianapolis Indians MVP Neil Walker went 1-for-2 and drove in second baseman Shelby Ford in the first inning. Ford went 2-for-2 on the day and stole a base. Designated hitter Steve Lerud also came around to score in the first giving the Tribe a 2-0 lead off the Yankees 2008 No. 4 prospect Ian Kennedy.

Left hander Tom Gorzelanny (3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 SO, 0 BB) threw three scoreless innings for the Indians allowing only two base-runners and recording seven of his nine outs on groundballs. Right hander Jerad Hughes (3.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO) replaced Gorzelanny in the fourth and allowed the Yankees to tie the score at two.

The Indians answered by plating the go ahead run in the fifth, and adding an insurance run in the sixth and two more in the eighth. Hughes pitched a scoreless sixth to notch the Indians first win of Spring Training.

RHP Jeff Sues, the Pirates No. 7 prospect as rated by Baseball America for 2009, fired a scoreless seventh which was followed by two shutout innings by RHP Juan Mateo (2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 SO, 0 BB) who picked up the save for the Tribe.

MARCH 20 -- Las Vegas 9, Indianapolis 3

Las Vegas scored a pair of runs in four different innings to post a 9-3 victory over Indianapolis Friday afternoon at the Englebert Complex in Dunedin, Fla.

Right hander Wade Miller picked up the victory for the 51's with two scoreless innings, while Indians starter Corey Hamman was handed the loss after allowing three runs in the first three innings. Most of the runs in the contest came via the longball as the teams combined for a total of five home runs.

The Indians scored all three of their runs off solo shots. Infielder Brian Friday launched the first homer in the fourth before infielder Ryan Mulhern and catcher Miguel Perez blasted back-to-back in the seventh.

Las Vegas INF Chris Gutierrez was the games offensive star launching a pair of two-run home runs, one in the 6th that extended the lead and one in the 8th to seal the victory for the 51's.

MARCH 19 -- Lehigh Valley 7, Indianapolis 4

Lehigh Valley scored three runs in the top of the second en route to a 7-4 victory over Indianapolis Thursday afternoon at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla.

Pirates OF Brandon Moss made a plate appearance in each of the first six innings going 1-for-5 with a walk. The lone home run on the day came off the bat of IronPigs 1B Kevin Mahar who launched a solo shot in top of the seventh.

Lehigh Valley jumped out to an early lead with four runs over the first two innings. Indianapolis got on the board in the third, before the IronPigs extended their lead with two runs in the fifth and one in the seventh.

The Indians threatened in the bottom of the seventh when Ray Chang led off with a single, James Barksdale walked and Miguel Perez singled to load the bases. However, Lehigh Valley reliever Yorman Bazardo held the Tribe to just one run.

RHP Andrew Carpenter (4.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO) picked up the win for Lehigh Valley, allowing just one run over four innings, while RHP Alexander Concepcion pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up the save.

RHP Ross Ohlendorf (4.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO) struckout four batters in four innings but suffered the loss for the Indians in his first Minor League Spring Training action.

Transactions:
LHP Dave Davidson - optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis
INF Neil Walker - optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis
RHP Brian Slocum - re-assigned to Minor League camp