Big inning lifts Indy to 8-3 win over Charlotte
The Indians improve to 50-56 overall and 27-28 at home, while the Knights fall to 49-57 on the season and 23-33 on the road. The Tribe has now taken three of the first four games against Charlotte this season.
Indianapolis DH Josh Wilson opened the big inning with a double to left, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored the tying run on LF Nyjer Morgan's single to right. Moments later, 3B Neil Walker put the Indians ahead for good by smashing a double to left center which scored Morgan and CF Andrew McCutchen.
The Tribe added three more runs in the seventh on a pair of Charlotte miscues and a wild pitch. Walker came plateward on a dropped fly ball by the right fielder, 1B Steve Pearce scored on a fumbled bunt by the pitcher and 2B Luis Ordaz raced to the dish on a pitch in the dirt.
The Knights scored in the first, second and sixth frames. CF Jason Bourgeois opened the affair with a single and eventually scored on a line drive off the pitcher. RF Nicholas Blasi then plated Charlotte's final two runs after doubling in the second and reaching on a fielder's choice in the sixth.
Indianapolis scored twice in the first inning. Walker roped an RBI double to score Morgan and eventually sprinted home on Ordaz's single through the left side.
Ordaz (3-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI), Walker (2-for-4, 2 R, 3 RBI), Wilson (2-for-4, 1 R) and Morgan (2-for-5, 2 R, 1 RBI) all turned in multi-hit performances for the Indians.
RHP Marino Salas (1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO), the third of four Indianapolis hurlers, improved to 3-3 with the win. RHP Franklyn German (2.0 IP, 3 SO) then sealed the deal with two perfect innings after the Tribe matched its biggest inning of the season.
Knights RHP Charlie Haeger (6.1 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO), a knuckleball specialist who threw 123 pitches, slipped to 8-9 with the loss.
3B Javier Colina (2-for-3, 1 RBI) and 1B Royce Huffman (2-for-4) registered more than one hit for Chalotte.
Indianapolis continues its eight-game homestand with a four-game set versus Syracuse. Chiefs LHP Bill Murphy and Indians LHP Tom Gorzelanny are the probable starters for Friday's series opener at 7:15 p.m.
The game will be televised by WHMB-TV 40 with Howard Kellman and Brian Dorsett. The contest will also be carried by WXLW-950 AM and www.IndyIndians.com with Scott McCauley and Brad Wochomurka.
Indians players and coaches will celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Night on Friday by wearing pink jerseys to be auctioned off during the game. All proceeds from the jersey auction benefit the Young Survivor Coalition. The first 4,000 fans will receive an Indians Picture frame courtesy of IndyMoms.com.
Following the game, fans will also be treated to a fireworks spectacular courtesy of Coors Light.
Post-game quotes -- INF Neil Walker
(What pitches did you see in your seventh-inning at-bat?)
"I definitely thought (Charlotte RHP Charlie) Haeger would throw me the knuckle ball. He had success with it most of the night because no one was able to square it up. I was fortunate enough to not see a knuckle ball. I saw a pitch over the plate and drove it to left center."
(As a switch hitter, why do you bat from the right side against a right-handed knuckleballer?)
"The right side of the plate is my natural side, and you often feel better on your natural side against a knuckle-ball pitcher. (Indianapolis RF Matt) Kata and I felt we had the best chance of hitting the knuckle ball from the right side, and things worked out."
(on the bullpen stepping up after starter Jimmy Barthmaier exited in the first inning)
"Our relief pitchers were the stars tonight. (RHP Mike) Thompson came in and did a fabulous job. He was able to keep the game close and we were fortunate enough to put ourselves in a position to win. We you can do that with the starter leaving in the first inning, you will usually end up being successful."