Indians take two from Richmond in front of 13,314
3B Yurendell de Caster smashed a two-run double in the bottom of the seventh to give the Tribe the game-one win, while RHP John Van Benschoten (6.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO) allowed just two runs on two hits in his Indians debut for the game-two victory.
Indianapolis (69-59) and Toledo (69-59) are now tied for first place in the division, while Louisville (68-60) trails both teams by just one game. The Braves, who have been eliminated from playoff contention, fall to 48-80 on the season.
LF Mike Edwards led Indianapolis by going 5-for-7 in the twinbill. He has now hit safely in 15 consecutive games -- the longest streak by a Tribe hitter in 2006. De Caster added a 3-for-7 night with three RBI.
Richmond raced out to a 4-0 advantage in the opener with one run in the first, two in the third and one more in the fifth. LF Gregor Blanco roped a double and eventually scored on C Carlos Mendez's sacrifice fly in the first. RHP Daniel Curtis lined a single and crossed the dish moments later on 1B James Jurries' base knock in the third, while Mendez blasted his fourth long ball of the season -- a solo shot to left -- in the fifth.
Indianapolis stormed back with four runs in the fifth to knot the contest. LHP Sean Burnett, CF Vic Buttler and Edwards all drilled singles before Burnett came plateward on 1B Chris Richard's line drive up the middle. RF Raul Gonzalez followed by lifting a sacrifice fly to plate Buttler, while Edwards scored on 2B Chris Truby's single and Richard on de Caster's base knock.
Tribe RHP Jesse Chavez (0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 SO), who recorded two outs before de Caster's two-run double in the seventh, improved to 2-1 with the win. RHP Jonah Bayliss (2.0 IP, 3 SO) worked two perfect frames for his team-leading 22nd save.
The Indians pulled ahead for good in the second inning of the nightcap when SS J.J. Furmaniak smoked a two-run single to left after Richard walked, C Carlos Maldonado singled and RF Adam Boeve also drew a base on balls.
The clubs traded late runs, but RHP Brian Rogers (1.0 IP, 1 SO) worked a 1-2-3 seventh for his first save with Indianapolis.
Richmond LHP Will Startup (2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 SO) fell to 3-2 with the game-one loss, while RHP Paul Bush (4.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO) fell to 0-3 with the game-two setback.
Blanco, Mendez and Jurries collected two hits apiece for the Braves in the nightcap.
The opener finished off a suspended game from June 25. That contest was interrupted by rain in the top of the first with no score.
The two teams return to Victory Field Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m., for the three-game series finale. RHP Ryan Vogelsong is slated to start for Indianapolis, while RHP Jason Shiell is expected to get the nod for Richmond.
The game will be carried by ESPN-950 AM and IndyIndians.com as Howard Kellman and Scott McCauley have the call. Sunday's pre-game show begins at 1:40 p.m.