Lincoln and Hart Shut Out Bats

Meanwhile, the Indians’ batters were getting a bit of run support for their pitching duo. �The Tribe posted 8 hits, with C Luke Carlin picking up both a double and a single. �SS Argenis Diaz led off the 3rd inning with a walk, and Lincoln sacrificed him to second base. �CF Jose Tabata singled into deep center field, and manager Frank Kremblas took the chance and waved Diaz around third. �The throw in from center hit the cut-off man, who did not relay it to the plate, so Diaz scored easily. �Tabata had rounded first base, and went too far, but the Bats did not have anyone covering first base, so the cut-off man did not have anyone to throw to, or else Tabata would have been doubled up. �Tabata proceeded to steal both second and third bases, but a ground out ended the inning with him still on third.

Luke Carlin was the only Tribe batter to get on base over the next three innings, as he led off the 5th with a walk. �A double play put him out at second though. �Neil Walker, in left field again tonight, started a rally in the 7th inning with a walk. �With two outs, Bats’ starter Travis Wood was relieved by Enerio Del Rosario. �Carlin took Del Rosario’s first pitch up the middle and into center field for a single, moving Walker to third base. �Argenis Diaz brought Walker home with another single into center. �A wild pitch and a walk to pinch-hitter Brandon Jones loaded the bases, but a grounder to second ended the inning with a force out.

The Indians added another run in the 8th. �2B Brian Friday led off with a single, then 1B Steve Pearce grounded to second base. �It should have been a double play, but the throw to first was wide — Friday was forced out at second but Pearce was safe at first. �3B Pedro Alvarez doubled to the wall in straight away center field (405 feet), moving Pearce to third. �Neil Walker followed with a grounder to second, and Bats’ 2B Chris Valaika fired the ball back to the plate, tagging out Pearce as he tried to score. �Alvarez was able to reach third on the play, though, and when RF Brandon Moss singled, Alvarez scored easily.

Alvarez went 1-for-4 on the night. �Steve Pearce doubled in the 1st inning, but did not score. �Luke Carlin doubled in the 9th, and moved to third on Kevin Hart’s sacrifice bunt, but he also did not score.

The win gives the Indians a 3-4 record. �After the game, Brad Lincoln felt like the Tribe was clicking tonight: “We were able to play together as a team tonight. �It was a good day, and hopefully we can get on a roll and take it into our homestand.” �The team has one more game at Louisville before returning to Indianapolis for the Home Opener on Friday. �Lincoln also said that he was eager to bounce back from his outing on April 9th, when he gave up 7 runs (5 earned) on 8 hits in 3.1 innings. �”When I figured out that I was able to command the inside of the plate, it really helped me out. �I had three strikeouts tonight because guys were putting the ball in play, and for me that’s a big key if I want to get deep in a game — let the hitters hit it, and let my defense play behind me.”

Indians’ Hitting Gems of the Game: �Clutch RBI singles by Jose Tabata, Argenis Diaz, and Brandon Moss, which gave the Tribe all the runs they needed.

Indians’ Defensive Gems of the Game: �Pitching performances by both “starters”, Brad Lincoln and Kevin Hart. �Nine innings of shut-out ball.

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NOTES:

Catching up with former Indy Indians: �John Van Benschoten earned a win today for the Trenton Thunder (AA Yankees), with 1.2 innings in relief. �He did not allow a hit but did hit a batter with a pitch, and struck out two.

Bryan Bullington pitched 7 innings in his start for the Omaha Royals on Monday, allowing 2 runs (one earned) on 5 hits, with no walks but 7 strikeouts. �His bullpen led him down, though, and he did not factor into the decision, which was a loss.

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Go Tribe!