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Doug Bernier is congratulated on his home run.

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Indianapolis Indians �9, �Durham Bulls �1 (box)

The outfield berm was a very good place to be tonight if you were at Victory Field and were looking to catch a souvenir. �The Indians blasted four home runs on their way to 9 runs on 12 hits, as they got revenge for being one-hit by the Bulls last night. �Not to be outdone by the offense, starter Hayden Penn pitched 6 strong innings, as he struck out a season-high 9 batters and allowed only one unearned run.

The Indians' offensive onslaught began in the 2nd inning. �C Erik Kratz led off the inning with a sinking line drive into left field for a hit. �DH Jeff Clement (photo) followed with a long high bomb over the right field wall and onto the grass berm for a 2-run homer. �Moments later, CF Jonathan Van Every got into the act with a long blast of his own, which landed in the right field berm about 75 feet to the left of Clement's. �The Indians had a 3-0 lead.

The Indians kept it going in the 2nd inning. �With one out, 2B Jim Negrych singled, but before another pitch was thrown to the plate, Bulls' starter Heath Phillips turned and threw to first base. �It looked like Negrych's foot slipped a bit as he tried to dive back to the base, and it was enough delay that he was picked off. �1B Steve Pearce walked with two outs, and Erik Kratz brought him in with another home run (photo) -- this one was a drive down the left field line, which stayed just barely inside the foul pole.

The fourth home run belonged to SS Doug Bernier. Bernier had singled to lead off the 1st inning, but had been left on base. �In the 5th, he led off the inning with a home run rocketed over the left field wall and into the grass berm on that side of the field.

The Tribe added two more runs off Indiana native Heath Phillips in the 6th inning -- not by way of home runs. �Jeff Clement led off the inning with a walk, and 3B Brian Myrow lined a single into left field, moving Clement to second base. �Jonathan Van Every drove in Clement with a line drive single into right field. �RF Brandon Jones' sacrifice fly to deep center field allowed Myrow to score, and the Indians had 8 runs of Phillips, on 10 hits.

Tuesday's action in the Pirates' lower minor league organization

GCL Yankees �11, �GCL Pirates �4 (box)

Chris Jakubauskas, who suffered a concussion while pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates back in April, made his first appearance in a real game today, with the GCL Pirates. �He pitched 3 innings, and suffered the loss as he gave up 4 runs on 6 hits and a walk. �He did strike out 5 batters. �Jakubauskas retired the Yankees in order in the 1st inning, then gave up a run on a triple and a sacrifice fly in the 2nd. �He allowed a lone walk in the 3rd inning, but began the 4th with a single, a double, and a 3-run homer, followed by another single.

Joan Montero finished the 4th for Jakubauskas, then gave up a run on a single, a wild pitch, and four walks in the 5th. �Dovydas Neverauskas completed the 5th, and gave up 2 runs in the 6th, ona double, a walk, and a 2-RBI single. �The Yankees scored 4 runs in the 8th, though only one was earned. �The inning began with a throwing error b 2B Luis Solano, then a double and a single both brought in a run. �Another fielding error and two more singles gave the Yankees a total of 11 runs. �Rinku Singh pitched a scoreless 9th inning for the Pirates, allowing a single and a walk, then getting a line-out into a double play before ending the inning with a strikeout.

The Pirates' bats could not keep up with the Yankees. �They scored one run in the 2nd, when C Elias Diaz led off with a double, was sacrifice bunted to third, and scored on a fielder's choice by Solano. �The Pirates added a run in the 4th. �RF Gregory Polanco led off with a single up the middle. �A grounder by LF Exicardo Cayonez forced Polanco out at second but left Cayonez at first. �Cayonez stole second base and advanced to third on a throwing error by the Yankees' catcher. �He scored on a wild pitch. �Another error contributed to the Pirates' run in the 6th. �SS Kevin Mort singled and 3B Eric Avila and Diaz both walked. �The fielding error on Solano's ball to short allowed Mort to score. �Polanco scored the Pirates' final run in the 8th, when he doubled, moved to third on a ground out, and scored on Cayonez's RBI single.

South Atlantic League: �North Stars vs. South Stars � �(box)

The SAL's All-Star Game was declared a draw, with the teams tied at 5-5 after 10 innings. �Both teams also had 9 hits, though the South team had committed 2 errors, while the North team was error-free.

Four members of the West Virginia Power were named to the North Division All-Star Team : �Starting Pitcher Nate Baker was named to the team, but did not participate due to injury. �C Ramon Cabrera, OF David Rubinstein, and DH Aaron Baker were all with the North team for the game, which was hosted by the Greenville Drive. �Baker was the only one of the three who was a starter.

The North squad got the game started with a 2-run homer in the top of the 1st by C Kyle Skipworth �(Greensboro). �The South team came back with 4 runs in the 2nd, on three doubles and two walks, to take a 4-2 lead.

The North tied the game in the top of the 3rd. �SS Jonathan Villar (Lakewood) led off with a solo home run. �A walk, a fielding error, and a single loaded the bases after the home run. �A double play erased two runners, but allowed the tying run to score. �Aaron Baker walked after the run scored, but was left on base. �He had also struck out in the 2nd inning.

Both teams scored one run in the 4th inning. �The Northerners scored on a single, a stolen base, and a throwing error that let the runner come around from second to score. �A double, a single, and an RBI ground out brought in the Southern team's run. �That was all the scoring in the game. �The teams took it into the 10th inning, but the game was called after a still-scoreless 10th.

Aaron Baker had a third plate appearance in the 6th, but flied out. �He moved from DH to first base in the 6th inning, and remained there for the rest of the game.

Ramon Cabrera took over behind the plate to begin the 7th inning. �He walked in his only plate appearance, in the 10th and was forced out at second base in a double play.

David Rubinstein entered the game in the bottom of the 5th to play right field. �He doubled in the 6th inning, and singled to lead off the 9th, but both times was left on base.

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Brian Myrow tags out Fernando Perez trying to steal third base.

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Durham Bulls �2, �Indianapolis Indians �0 (box)

Three Durham Bulls' pitchers held the Indians to just one hit as they shut out the Tribe at Victory Field tonight. �It spoiled a strong performance by Indians' starter Daniel McCutchen, who pitched 7 innings and allowed 2 runs on 6 hits and a walk, while striking out 4 batters.

The Indians' first batter in the bottom of the 1st, Kevin Melillo, worked a 5-pitch walk from Bull's starter Brian Baker. �Baker, who is usually a reliever, was making a spot start for Durham, because their starter who ought to have been next in the rotation ended up going on the disabled list. �RF Brandon Moss bunted Melillo to second base with a sacrifice. �2B Jim Negrych (photo) grounded to short, but instead of holding at second to see how the play would develop, Melillo headed for third. �He was an easy out at third base, with Negrych safe at first on the fielder's choice. �1B Steve Pearce, on his rehab assignment, struck out to end the inning.

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Baker pitched 4 more innings, his longest outing of the season. �He retired the Indians in order over those innings, including four strikeouts.

The Indians were happy to see Baker sitting down after 5 innings. �Another Bulls' reliever, Mike Ekstrom, came on for the next two innings, and the first batter he faced, CF Jonathan Van Every, greeted the new pitcher with a line drive single into right field. �But SS Argenis Diaz bounced to second base, where 2B Joe Dillon started a 4-6-3 double play, erasing Van Every. �Melillo struck out to end that inning, and Ekstrom retired the side in order in the 7th. �RJ Swindle pitched the last two innings for the Bulls. �He also set 6 Tribe batters down in order. �The closest any of the Indians came to getting a hit other than Van Every's, was C Erik Kratz, who hit a loud and long fly ball to left field in the 8th inning. �Not long enough, though, as Durham's LF Justin Ruggiano made the catch with his back to the left field wall.

Photo: �Daniel McCutchen is keeping his right arm warm on the bench, while Erik Kratz gets ready to move into the on-deck circle.

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The Altoona Curve and the West Virginia Power both had scheduled days off on Monday. �The Power are starting their 3-day All-Star break, with the South Atlantic League's All-Star Game scheduled for Tuesday.

GCL Yankees 10, �GCL Pirates 8 (box)

The Pirates posted a 4-run 5th inning and scored their 8 runs on only 5 hits, taking advantage of 5 errors by the Yankees. �But the Yanks made up for their errors with two 4-run innings to take the win.

CF Junior Sosa began the game with a walk and a stolen base for the Pirates. �He moved to third on a ground out, and scored the Pirates' first run on a wild pitch -- no hits involved. �The Yankees tied the game in the bottom of the inning, as their first batter homered off rehabbing Pirates' starter Brett Lorin. �Lorin then retired the next 6 batters he faced, including 4 strikeouts.

Joely Rodriguez took the mound to begin the 3rd for the Pirates. �He gave up a single, two walks, and a grand slam, then another single, to give the Yankees a 5-1 lead. �Yomar Pacheco rescued Rodriguez, to finish that inning, then pitch 3 more. �He gave up a run in the 4th on another lead-off homer, along with 2 more hits and 2 walks, but struck out 3 batters.

The Pirates came charging back in the 5th. �LF Exicardo Cayonez led off with a double, and went to third on a ground out. �DH Daan Cornelissen walked, and Sosa loaded the bases when he reached on a fielding error. �SS Kevin Mort singled, driving in Cayonez, and 1B Michaelangel Trinidad cleared the bases with a double into right field. �Trinidad injured his leg on the play and had to leave the game. �Yankees 6, Pirates 5.

The Pirates took the lead with 2 runs in the 7th. �Sosa walked, and moved to second base when Mort reached on a throwing error. �A double steal put both into scoring position, and they both crossed the plate on another Yankee error. �Cayonez was hit by a pitch to begin the 8th inning, and after a ground out, he scored on Sosa's RBI double, to give the Pirates an insurance run, 8-6.

It was not enough insurance, though, as the Yankees scored 4 again in the bottom of the 8th. �After a scoreless 7th inning by reliever Yeyber Sanchez, Oscar Verdugo took the mound for the 8th. �With one out, he gave up a single, hit a batter, and gave up a walk and another single, bringing in one run. �A runner was out at the plate on what appears to have been an attempt to score on a wild pitch, but that was all for Verdugo. �Sheng-Cin Hong relieved Verdugo, but he gave up a double and a single, scoring 3 more runs (3 charged to Verdugo and one to Hong). �Verdugo was charged with the loss, and Hong with the Blown Save.

Sunday's action in the Pirates' minor league organization. �The Gulf Coast League season begins on Monday. �The GCL Pirates open against the GCL Yankees at noon.

The Bradenton Marauders have a scheduled day off today.

Altoona Curve �6, �Richmond Flying Squirrels �2 (box)

A 4-run 6th inning boosted the Curve to a sweep of their 3-game series with the Flying Squirrels. �Starter Tim Alderson pitched 7 innings and allowed 2 runs on 9 hits and a walk, with 4 strikeouts for his 6th win of the season. �Alderson gave up a run in the 5th, on a single, a sacrifice bunt, and another single. �A single, a double, and a ground out brought in another run for the Squirrels in the 6th. �Alderson worked around runners on base in each of the rest of his innings, and took advantage of two double plays turned behind him.

The Curve also put runners on base in each of the first 5 innings but were unable to bring any of them around to score. �They loaded the bases in the 5th, on a double by C Hector Gimenez and walks to LF�Alex Presley and RF Miles Durham, but a double play ended their inning.

Presley sparked the rally in the 6th. �With one out, CF Gorkys Hernandez and 3B Josh Harrison hit back-to-back singles, and a fielding error put 1B Matt Hague on base to load the bases. �2B Jordy Mercer's sacrifice fly brought in Hernandez, to tie the score. �Gimenez was intentionally walked, again loading the bases. �Then Presley cleared the bases with a triple into center field, and the Curve had a 4-1 lead.

Richmond got one of those runs back in the bottom of the inning, but the Curve added two more in the 7th. �SS Chase d'Arnaud walked, and after a pitching change, Hernandez also walked. �Harrison's double drove in both of them, to bring the lead to 6-2.

Derek Hankins took over for Alderson in the 8th. �He retired the side in that inning. �The bottom of the 9th began with Hankins hitting a batter. �He got two outs, then gave up another single. �Danny Moskos came on to relieve Hankins, and he got the only batter he faced to ground out, earning the save. �Moskos now leads the Eastern League with 16 saves.

Indianapolis Indians �7, �Buffalo Bison �3 (box)

For the second day in a row, the Indianapolis Indians put up a nice crooked number in the top of an extra inning to break a tie, then won the game when they held off the Bison in their half of the inning. �Today it was 4 runs in the 12th inning that did the trick.

The 12th began with a walk to C Erik Kratz, and a sacrifice bunt by 2B Jim Negrych, to move Kreatz to second base. �Buffalo reliever Adam Pettyjohn intentionally walked the rehabbing RF�Steve Pearce. 1B Jeff Clement (photo) made the Bison regret the walks, as he took a long fly over the head of Bison's RF Valentino Pascucci. �The double drove in both Kratz and Pearce, and gave the Indians a 5-3 lead. �Brandon Jones came on to pinch hit for Tribe reliever Brian Bass, and Jones struck out, but CF Brandon Moss smacked his 16th double of the season to right-center, where it hopped the fence for a ground-rule double, scoring Clement. �SS Argenis Diaz kept things going with a walk. �3B Doug Bernier lined a single up the middle. �The throw to the plate was a few feet up the third base line, but Moss had rounded third and was bearing down on the plate. �Moss crashed C Jason Thole, sending him flying in one direction and the ball flying in another direction, and as he rolled after the collision, Moss's foot rolled over the plate. �Diaz moved to third base and Bernier advanced to second on the throw. �A pop out ended the inning, with the Indians ahead, 7-3.

Steven Jackson came on to pitch the bottom of the frame. �He gave up a one-out single off the glove of SS Argenis Diaz to Bisons' CF Jorge Padilla, but the first pitch Jackson threw to SS Justin Turner was bounced on an easy hop right to Diaz. �Diaz started the 6-4-3 (Diaz to Negrych to Clement) double play to end the game. �Brian Bass earned the win, his second of the season. �The Indians won 3 of the 4 games in this series with Buffalo, and 6 of the 8 games in the season series.

Indianapolis Indians �9, �Buffalo Bison �3 (box)

The Indianapolis Indians exploded for 6 runs in the top of the 10th inning, to break a 3-3 tie and put the game out of reach at Coca Cola Field in Buffalo, NY tonight. �SS Argenis Diaz (photo) had the RBI single that tied the game in the 9th, and also contributed an RBI double in the 10th, and CF Jonathan Van Every also had 2 RBI. �Rehabbing Steve Pearce had 3 hits for the Indians. �Jean Machi pitched two scoreless innings to earn the win for the Indians.

The Tribe began the game with their first four batters reaching base safely, on three consecutive hits and a hit batter. �LF Kevin Melillo led off with a double, and he scored on C Luke Carlin's single up the middle. �Carlin tried to take second base when a pitch in the dirt from Dillon Gee got away from the Buffalo catcher Josh Thole -- but not as far away as Carlin thought it was, and Thole threw Carlin out at second base. �2B Jim Negrych doubled, and Steve Pearce, playing right field tonight, was hit by a pitch. �1B Jeff Clement grounded to short, and when the Buffalo SS Justin Turner threw wide to first base, Negrych came around to score an unearned run. �Those were the only runs Gee allowed. �He retired the Indians in order in the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th innings. �In the 4th, Pearce grounded to third, where 3B Mike Cervenak stumbled as he went to make the throw to first. �That made his throw come in high at first, with 1B Mike Jacobs leaping off the bag to catch the ball. �It was initially ruled a throwing error on Cervenak, but later changed to a hit for Pearce, who was reaching the bag as the throw came to first anyway. �Jeff Clement also singled, on a grounder that slipped through the right side of the infield. �But two strikeouts and a throw down to second when Clement was off and running with the pitch ended the inning without a run scoring.

Charlie Morton (photo) made the start for the Indians. �It was his third start since joining the Indians, and it was similar to his last. �Tonight he pitched 5 innings and allowed 3 runs on 6 hits, with 3 walks and 5 strikeouts. �(On June 13th, he went 7 innings and gave up 3 runs on 7 hits and a walk, with 6 strikeouts.) �Morton gave up a walk in each of the first two innings, and a double over the head of LF Kevin Melillo and off the wall in the 2nd. �Morton needed 21 pitches to get through the 1st inning and another 20 for the 2nd. �Then he retired the side in order in the 3rd inning, needing just 9 pitches.

The Bison tied the score in the 4th inning. �With one out, Morton gave up a single up the middle to CF Fernando Martinez. �After a fly out, LF Lucas Duda doubled, scoring Martinez, and C Josh Thole put a soft liner into center field to bring in Duda and tie the game.

The 6th inning began with a controversial grounder up the third base line by Mike Cervenak. �The ball appeared to be foul, and it bounced in foul territory once it was past third base, but 3B umpire Stephen Barga ruled that the ball was in fair territory when it sailed over the third base bag, and so it was fair, and a double for Cervenak. �Manager Frank Kremblas and C Luke Carlin protested, to no avail. �Kremblas continued on to the mound, to change pitchers, and Carlin apparently continued to express his point of view. �Before reliever Justin Thomas could come in from the bullpen, Barga ejected Carlin from the game.

Erik Kratz came into the game to replace Carlin. �Justin Thomas struck out the first two batters he faced, then gave up a single to pinch-hitter Andy Green, which drove in Mike Cervenak from second base with the go-ahead run (charged to Morton).

Saturday's games for the Pirates' lower minor league affiliates

Williamsburg Crosscutters �5, �State College Spikes �3 (box)

A full house sell-out in State College went home disappointed tonight, as the Spikes lost their home opener. �The Crosscutters scored 2 runs off starter Zack Dodson in the 2nd inning, on a walk, a single, a double, and a sacrifice fly. �Dodson gave up only one other hit in 3 more innings of work, and erased that runner with a double play.

The Spikes tied the score with a run in the bottom of the 2nd and another run in the 3rd. �A walk to 1B Gerlis Rodriguez open the inning. �A single by DH Kelson Brown, and a fielding error on CF Justin Bencsko's ball to first base loaded the bases for the Spikes. �C Miguel Mendez drove in Rodriguez with an RBI ground out. �Another fielding error put SS Walker Gourley on second base to begin the 3rd. �He scored on 3B Chase Lyles' line drive single into left field.

Mitch Fienemann took over from Dodson to begin the 4th. �After getting two outs, He gave up a single, a stolen base, and an RBI single to take a 3-2 lead. �The Spikes tied it up again in the bottom of the inning, on a double by Mendez, a passed ball, and a single by LF Melvin De La Cruz.

But the Crosscutters kept hammering at Fienemann, scoring a run in the 7th on two singles and a double, and another run in the 8th on four singles. �Sandobal Septimo finished the 8th for Fienemann, then pitched a scoreless 9th, despite giving up a double and a single.

Chase Lyles had two singles for the Spikes, and Justin Bencsko also had a single. �The Spikes collected 6 hits, while the Crosscutters posted 14 hits.