INDIANAPOLIS - Ryan Lavarnway worked a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the eighth to break a 2-2 tie, helping the Indians to a 4-2 triumph over the Gwinnett Stripers Saturday night at Victory Field. José Osuna continued his torrid stretch at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a game-tying double
INDIANAPOLIS - Ryan Lavarnway worked a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the eighth to break a 2-2 tie, helping the Indians to a 4-2 triumph over the Gwinnett Stripers Saturday night at Victory Field. José Osuna continued his torrid stretch at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a game-tying double during the eighth-inning spurt.
Trailing 2-1, Indianapolis' (14-12) rally began against southpaw Rex Brothers (L, 1-1) with a Kevin Kramer double to the left-field wall. Austin Meadows then advanced Kramer to third with a grounder to the right side of the infield, and Osuna capitalized, smashing a double inside the third-base bag to level the game at two.
Following Osuna's 11th two-bagger of the season, Brothers issued a walk to Jordan Luplow before beaning Erich Weiss to load the bases. Right-hander Jason Hursh inherited the jam and didn't fare much better, issuing a five-pitch walk to Lavarnway that gave Indy the lead for good.
A wacky 6-4-5 double play eventually ended the frame, but not before Luplow touched home to make it a 4-2 ballgame.
Johnny Hellweg (S, 4) pitched a spotless 1-2-3 ninth to keep his perfect 0.00 ERA for the season intact.
Gwinnett (10-17) staked themselves a 1-0 advantage after three innings thanks to a two-out triple by Peter Bourjos and ensuing RBI infield single off the bat of former Indianapolis Indian, Phil Gosselin.
Indy then drew even in the fourth. Osuna walked and took second on a wild pitch before both Luplow and Weiss singled.
Tribe starter Tyler Eppler sailed through six innings, allowing just the one run on five hits and one walk with five strikeouts.
The Stripers took another one-run lead in the eighth against Josh Smoker (W, 2-0). Gosselin opened the inning with a four-pitch walk and advanced to second on a diving catch by Meadows in center. Moments later, Carlos Franco collected his third knock of the game to make it 2-1.
The Indians and Stripers conclude their four-game series on Sunday, May 6 at The Vic, with first pitch set for 1:35 p.m. Indy will send right-hander Clay Holmes (1-0, 3.38) to the mound, opposite Gwinnett righty Matt Wisler (0-1, 4.00).
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.
