McCutchen scattered a double and a triple over the next three innings, but kept the Iron Pigs from scoring again. �The double by C Paul Hoover to lead off the 4th inning came very close to being another home run, but instead it bounced a little ways down off the left field wall and Hoover was held to two bases. �Justin Thomas took over for McCutchen for the 7th inning, and he retired the side in order. �Steven Jackson came on to pitch the 8th, and he made it a little more interesting. �He walked Mayberry, who then stole second base and moved to third on a ground out. �Jackson walked Ransom, putting runners on the corners. �3B Neil Sellers grounded to third base, where Pedro Alvarez (photo) fielded cleanly and fired to home. �Luke Carlin tagged out Mayberry at the plate on the fielder’s choice. �Jackson then walked Hoover to load the bases, but a fly out ended the inning, and the Iron Pigs did not score.
McCutchen was charged with his first loss for the Indians.
The loss gives the Tribe a split of the 4-game series with Lehigh Valley, and moves them back to the .500 mark for the season. �It means they finish this road trip with a 7 – 3 record, as they head back to Indianapolis. �The team has a scheduled day off on Wednesday, then begins an 8-game home stand on Thursday — 4 games against the Buffalo Bison and 4 games against the Rochester Red Wings.
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Indians’ Hitting Gem of the Game: �Pedro Alvarez’s RBI double in the 1st inning. �It was the Tribe’s only extra-base hit and accounted for their only run.
Indians’ Defensive Gem of the Game: �Pedro Alvarez’s scoop and fielder’s choice in the 8th, third to home, where Luke Carlin kept John Mayberry from scoring another run.
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NOTES:
Steve Pearce has been promoted and he is with the Pirates this evening. �He is not scheduled to start today, but maybe tomorrow, depending on who is pitching against the Pirates.
OF John Raynor, the Pirates’ Rule 5 pick from last December, was removed from the roster last week, and after he cleared waivers, he had to be offered back to the Marlins. �The Marlins decided they wanted him back. �The Pirates tried to arrange a trade, but the Mariners reportedly wanted too much in return.
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Go Tribe!
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(photos by Nancy)
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