PIRATES PROSPECTSPITTSBURGH PIRATES MINOR LEAGUE NEWS, TRANSACTIONS, AND ARTICLES

Tim Alderson had a disappointing last start of what was otherwise a very favorable season, as he gave up 7 runs on 11 hits and 3 walks over 5 innings of work suffering his first loss as a member of the Pirates' organization. �The Mets scored in four of the first five innings, and the Curve could not catch up. �A single and a double brought in the first run in the 1st inning, and a 2-run homer made it 3-0 after the 2nd inning. �A 2-out double and an RBI single scored another run in the 4th inning. �The 5th inning began with 2 walks and 3 singles, scoring 2 runs before an out was recorded. �An RBI grounder plated the third run of the inning. �An intentional walk setup the double play that ended the inning and Alderson's night. �

Jared Hughes relieved Alderson in the 6th and pitched 2 scoreless innings, allowing only a lead-off single in the 6th, then retiring the next 6 batters. �Scott Nestor pitched the final inning, and gave up a single, though eliminated that runner with a double play. �

The Curve posted 12 hits but were able to score only 2 runs. �SS Brian Friday led the offense with a 4-for-4 night. �With one out in the 4th inning, RF Jonel Pacheco doubled into center field. �1B MIles Durham and Friday both singled, and Pacheco scored the Curve's first run (RBI for Durham). �Friday collected an RBI in the 8th inning, when the Curve again scored on a double and two singles. �Pacheco led off the 8th with his second double, and Durham moved him to third with a single. �Friday plated Pacheco with an RBI single up the middle.�

The Curve threatened in the 5th inning, when Tim Alderson singled, went to second on a ground out, and on to third on 2B Shelby Ford's single. �A pop out ended that inning. �The Curve also had two runners on base in the 9th inning, when C Milver Reyes walked and Shelby Ford singled again. �They were both left on base when two strikeouts ended the game. �

The Hillcats scored early, but let the Red Sox chip away at their lead and finally take the win as they began their last series of the season. �The 'Cats were held to just 4 hits in the game. �

LF Jared Keel began the 2nd inning rally with a walk, and he went to second base when CF Alex Presley singled. �C Eric Fryer was hit by a pitch to load the bases. �A wild pitch scored Keel, and 2B Jose De Los Santos hit a grounder to first, scoring Presley. �That was all the scoring the Hillcats would do. �They put a few runners on base with hit batters (RF Jamie Romak, SS Chase d'Arnaud), a fielding error (Romak) and a walk (1B Matt Hague). �Hague singled in the 1st inning, and the other two Hillcats' runs came in the 9th, when pinch hitter Kent Sakamoto and�Fryer�both hit 2-out singles. �Each time, the inning ended without a run scoring.�

Starter Bryan Morris pitched 6.2 innings and allowed all 3 of the Salem runs, on 10 hits and 2 walks, with one strikeout. �The Red Sox answered the Hillcats' 2 runs in the top of the 4th with one run of their one in the bottom of the inning, on back-to-back doubles. �They tied the game at 2-2 in the 5th, on a walk, a single, two wild pitches, and an RBI grounder. �In the 7th, a walk and a fielder's choice put runners on first and second bases, and an RBI single plated the lead runner with the winning run. �

Brett Lorin earned his 3rd win with the Power, pitching 5 scoreless innings. � He breezed through those 5, scattering 4 hits, and striking out 6 batters. �Duke Welker pitched 2 innings and gave up the only Greensboro run, on a walk and a triple. �Alan Knotts, just back up from the State College Spikes, allowed just one hit in the final two scoreless innings, with 4 strikeouts. �

3B Bobby Spain posted 3 hits in the contest. �He singled in the 2nd inning, but was out on a double play, and singled again in the 7th, but was left on base. �RF Austin McClune scored the first Power run in the 4th inning with a solo homer. �In the 5th inning, back-to-back singles by CF Robbie Grossman and LF Quincy Latimore opened the inning. �DH Calvin Anderson bounced into a double play which erased Latimore but moved Grossman to third. �Spain picked up an RBI with second single of the game, as Grossman came in to score. �

The Spikes were held to just two hits, both doubles, neither of which contributed to their one run. �RF David Rubinstein doubled to lead off the 2nd inning. �He progressed to third base on a grounder, but was out at the plate on a fielder's choice when 2B Elevys Gon zalez tapped back to the mound. � DH Justin Byler opened the 4th inning with another double, and went to third on a passed ball, but was left there at the end of the inning. �SS Brock Holt reached walked to lead off the game, but was also left stranded. �

Twelve Spikes' batters were retired after Byler's double. �The 8th inning began with two errors by the Crosscutters. �A missed catch error put Elevys Gonzalez on base. �A fielding error let C Craig Parry reach safely, and sent Gonzalez to third base. �Brock Holt grounded to first, driving in Gonzalez with the Spikes' only run. �

Victor Black took the loss, his second, allowing 2 runs (one earned) on 2 hits and a walk over 3 innings. �A walk, a wild pitch, a fielding error by Holt, and a double steal scored the Crosscutters' first run in the 3rd inning, and an RBI single brought in the second run. �Tyler Cox pitched the next 3 innings, and he also gave up 2 runs (both earned) on back-to-back doubles, a hit batter, and two wild pitches. �Brandon Holden and Mike Williams both pitched scoreless innings to finish the game for the Spikes. �

The Indianapolis Indians got a stellar pitching performance from starter Ty Taubenheim (photo) tonight at Victory Field, but like last night, they did not capitalize on scoring opportunities and they made critical mistakes in the field. �This time it was the Louisville Bats who walked away with the win, and Taubenheim who got no decision. �

Taubenheim was working on just three days' rest instead of the usual four. �You wouldn't have known from watching him, though. �He needed only 69 pitches (45 strikes) to go 5 scoreless innings. �He gave up 3 hits, no walks, and struck out 3 batters. �

Taubenheim retired the first 8 batters he faced. �That took him to the top of the 3rd inning with two outs. �With a 2-1 count on the Mud Hens' pitcher Travis Wood, just as Taubenheim finished throwing the second ball, the lights flickered out at Victory Field. �Blamed on a power surge, the scoreboards, the jumbotron video board, the concourse lights, and the stadium lights all went dark. �The game halted, because while it is still mostly light out at about 7:38 pm in Indianapolis in early September, it was dark enough on the field that it would have been too hard for the batters to see the ball. �The Indians stood around on the field for a few minutes (photo: C�Erik Kratz and Ty Taubenheim wait on the mound), but eventually retreated to their dugout to wait out the delay. �After about 16 minutes, the stadium lights came back on, and play resumed. �

It wasn't too bad for Taubenheim, who treated the delay as if it were just the bottom half of another inning. �It was a little tougher for Bats' pitcher Travis Wood, who had to complete his at-bat, and then had to act as if he had been waiting out a very long half inning with his team at bat. �

When play resumed with Wood at the plate, he hit the first pitch he saw to third base, where Robinzon Diaz, on third tonight, had the ball hit his glove on the back-handed attempt, and then roll behind Diaz. �Wood was safe at first, though the error turned out to be moot, as Taubenheim struck out LF Luis Bolivar looking on three pitches to end the inning. �

[Photo: �Argenis Diaz catches a pop up]

The first hit Taubenheim gave up came in the 4th inning, and it was a trickly little grounder that wound its way to the left side of the mound and around behind it. �SS Argenis Diaz came charging in, but couldn't get the bare-handed pick up in time, and rehabbing Bats' catcher Ryan Hanigan was safe at first. �But Taubenheim was unfazed. �He got another rehabbing Bat, RF Jay Bruce, to ground to second base, where 2B Pedro Lopez started a 4-6-3 double play (Lopez to Argenis Diaz to 1B Hector Gimenez). �In fact, Taubenheim was largely unimpressed by the two rehabbing Bats (from the Cincinnati Reds). �He gave up that little hit to Hanigan, but got him to ground out in two other at-bats, and he retired Bruce on that double play grounder and two easy fly outs. �

Taubenheim gave up two more hits, both in the 5th inning. �With two outs, SS Chris Valaika and CF Lew Ford stroked back-to-back singles into just about the same spot in left-center field. �Taubenheim ended the inning with a pop out by Travis Wood, leaving both base runners stranded. �

The Indians' batters put runners on base in every inning but two. �They posted a total of 10 hits, with each position player in the line-up but one collecting at least one hit. �CF Brian Bixler got things started with a slow infield grounder to third base. �The speedy Bixler was able to beat out the throw from 3B Juan Francisco. �Pedro Lopez dropped down a perfect bunt, to move Bixler on to second base. �RF Jose Tabata laced a double into the right-center field alley, which bounced off the warning track and to the base of the wall, as Bixler raced around from second base to score (photo). �

The Indians held that 1-0 lead for the next six innings, but could not add to it. �They put one base runner on base with a single in each of the 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 7th innings (Robinzon Diaz, Jose Tabata, Hector Gimenez, and Pedro Lopez) but each time left the runners on base. �In fact, only Robinzon Diaz, in the 2nd inning, was able to progress as far as second base. �

The Tribe's best chance to score again came in the 4th inning. �This was the point at which Travis Wood had just been waiting out the power-surge delay and had been at the plate and on base. �Erik Kratz led off with a line drive single into left field. �After a strikeout by Robinzon Diaz, Hector Gimenez grounded a single through the hole and into left field. �Argenis Diaz followed with a grounder deep to short. �Bats' SS Chris Valaika was able to keep the ball from getting through and into left field, but he came up off -balance and his throw to first base was wide. �The Tribe had the bases loaded and one out -- and could not capitalize. �Ty Taubenheim (photo, at the plate) lifted a short fly ball into right field, too shallow for Kratz to tag up and score from third base. �Brian Bixler was up next. �He worked the count full, and then swung and missed at strike three, and all three base runners were left on base. �

After Taubenheim's performance, another rehabbing major leaguer, Jeff Karstens (photo),�entered the game for the Indians. � Karstens, working his way back from a lower back strain, pitched 2 innings. �He retired the Bats in order in the 6th, then worked out of a jam in the 7th. �With one out, a strikeout on 1B Wes Bankston, Karstens gave up singles to Juan Francisco and 2B Todd Frazier. �Chris Valaika grounded a slow roller to short, where Argenis Diaz had to work around the base umpire and Francisco as he ran past. �He had time to get the force out of Frazier at second base, leaving runners on the corners. �An infield pop up ended the inning without a run scoring. �

Jorge Julio took over for Karstens to begin the 8th inning, and that's when the wheels fell off. �Like many bad innings, it began with a lead-off walk, to C Chris Denove, who had entered the game in a double-switch. �Luis Bolivar dropped down a sacrifice bunt on the first-base side of the infield. �1B Hector Gimenez charged in to scoop the ball, but instead of throwing to first for the sacrifice, he tried to get the lead runner, Denove, who was going into second base. �Gimenez's (photo) throw was off-balance,�

and it glanced off Argenis Diaz's glove and into center field. �Brian Bixler was backing up and the ball didn't get far, so Denove did not advance further. �The play was ruled a sacrifice bunt for Bolivar and a fielder's choice. � RF Michael Griffin, who had also entered the game in the double-switch, put down another sacrifice bunt, right in front of the plate. �This time, Erik Kratz jumped out from behind the plate, but missed the bare-handed pick-up of the ball, and all three runners were safe. �That play was ruled a sacrifice and an error on Kratz. �With the bases loaded and no outs, pinch-hitter Danny Dorn drilled a double down the right field line and into the corner, driving in Denove and Bolivar to give the Bats the tying and the go-ahead runs. �When Julio threw a wild pitch, Griffin also scored, and Dorn advanced to third base. �After a ground out, Juan Francisco singled into left field, and Dorn came across the plate with the fourth run of the inning. �The inning ended when Todd Frazier bounced to short, and Argenis Diaz started a 6-4-3 (Argenis Diaz to Pedro Lopez to Hector Gimenez) double play. �Julio allowed one more hit in the top of the 9th, but got two strikeouts to keep the Bats from scoring again. �

The Indians got one of the runs back in the bottom of the 8th. �Erik Kratz worked a one-out walk, and then surprised the Bats by stealing second base. �It was Kratz's 7th stolen base of the season, giving him more stolen bases this season than he has had all totalled for the rest of his career. �The steal put Kratz into scoring position for Robinzon Diaz, who singled into left-center field, scoring Kratz. �A double play erased Diaz to end the inning, and the Tribe went down in order in their last chance in the bottom of the 9th. �

The loss drops the Indians down below the .500 mark again. �

Indians' Hitting Gem of the Game: �Jose Tabata's RBI double in the 1st inning, which plated Brian Bixler for the first run of the game.

Indians' Defensive Gem of the Game: �Brian Bixler has now played quite a few games in center field for the Indians, and he's making it look like he belongs there. �He made a number of plays in center look fairly routine. �And then, in the 3rd inning, he made a spectacular catch of a long fly ball off the bat of Chris Valaika. �Bixler had to run back and to his left, going into the alley in right-center. �He made the catch still running, with his glove hand (left) extended, on the warning track, then ran into the wall and rolled off on the bounce.�

Photos: �

Yoslan Herrera made a pinch-hitting appearance in the 7th inning (and struck out)..... Jean Machi watches from the dugout

NOTES:

The Indians are auctioning off their game-worn black alternate jerseys. �Go to the auction site and make your bids! �The auction will be going on for the next week. �Can you guess whose jersey has the most bids so far? �(answer below)

Jon Meloan, who was Designated for Assignment by the Pirates last week, was claimed off waivers by the Oakland A's, and assigned to AAA Sacramento in the Pacific Coast League. �

How many positions can Chris Barnwell play? �He has played all around the infield and in the outfield for the Indians, and he has made two pitching appearances for the Tribe. �And tonight, he was wearing catching gear and working as the bullpen catcher.

Speaking of bullpen catchers... that's the answer to the question -- bullpen catcher Ryan Lewis' (photo, wearing the jersey in question) jersey has the most bids so far (8 as of just now). � A few other players' jerseys have one or two bi ds. �

Go Tribe!

[Photos by Nancy Zinni -- MVN]

The Curve were shut out in their last home game of the season, despite out-scoring Akron 9-7. �RF Jonel Pacheco and LF Jeff Corsaletti each had 2 hits, and C Milver Reyes added a double, but the Curve left 13 base runners stranded. �Pacheco's hits extended his hitting streak to 8 games, and his multi-hit game streak to 7.

The Curve put runners on base in all but two innings, and had runners reach third base four times. �In the 1st, SS Brian Friday walked and Jonel Pacheco singled. �A grounder force out by 1B Miles Durham put runners on the corners before another ground out ended the inning. �A single by Jeff Corsaletti and Milver Reyes' double put two runners in scoring position in the 2nd inning. �A walk by Reyes, a single by Friday and a missed catch error on Pacheco loaded the bases in the 5th. �Both of those innings ended with a strikeout. �The Curve loaded the bases again in the 6th, on a walk to DH Jason Delaney and singles by 2B Shelby Ford and Jeff Corsaletti. �A pitching change and a double play ended that threat. �

Starter Kyle Bloom took the loss for the Curve, going 6.2 innings and allowing all 4 of the Aeros' hits (7) and runs (4). �He breezed through the first three innings, but gave up 3 runs in the 4th inning on a single, back-to-back triples, and a sacrifice fly. �The 5th and 6th innings were again no problem, then Bloom opened the 7th inning with a single, a pop out, a walk, a fly out, and an RBI single, to give Akron their fourth hit. �Moises Robles relieved Bloom and retired all 4 batters he faced, then Ramon Aguero pitched the 9th inning and also retired the side in order. �

The Curve have announced two end-of-season awards: �Pedro Alvarez is the Curve 2009 MVP, and Yoslan Herrera is the Curve 2009 Pitcher of the Year. �

Jenifer Langosch has a story about Gorkys Hernandez on the Pirates' mlb site. �

A loss to Kannapolis eliminated the Power's chances for a playoff spot and handed Kannapolis the North Division crown. �

The Power held a 3-1 lead for most of the game. �Kannapolis had scored one run in the 1st inning on two walks and an RBI single befor the Power put up 3 runs in the 3rd, with singles by SS Adenson Chourio, �CF Starling Marte, C Tony Sanchez, DH Calvin Anderson, and RF Quincy Latimore. �Sanchez, Anderson, and Latimore picked up the RBI. �The next 15 Power batters were retired in order, though. �1B�Kyle Morgan singled in the 9th inning, but was left on base.�

Quinton Miller pitched 6 innings for the Power, allowing only that run in the 1st on 2 hits and 3 walks, with 4 strikeouts. �Diego Moreno relieved Miller to begin the 7th inning. �He was charged with a Blown Save and then the loss, as he gave up 2 runs in the 7th, on a two hit batters, a walk, and a 2-RBI single. �A solo home run gave Kannapolis an insurance run in the 8th. �

Bobby Spain's single in the 2nd inning extended his hitting streak to 11 games, and Tony Sanchez extended his on-base streak to 19 games. �

The Hillcats took advantage of 4 errors by the P-Nats and posted 11 hits, as they took the win and seriously damaged Potomac's hopes for getting a playoff spot.�

Starter Rudy Owens had not allowed a home run since his promotion from West Virginia, but he broke that streak tonight, giving up 3 solo home runs over the first two innings. The Hillcats responded with 2 runs in each of the 2nd and 3rd innings. �C Kris Watts led off the 2nd with a walk. �LF Alex Presley brought Watts in with a triple into right field, his league-leading 10th triple of the season. �Presley scored on CF Jose De Los Santos' RBI single. �Two throwing errors helped the 'Cats score in the 3rd inning. �2B Chase d'Arnaud was hit by a pitch, stole second base, and moved on to third base on SS Jordy Mercer's ground out. �D'Arnaud scored when a throwing error by the Potomac shortstop let DH Jamie Romak reach base safely. �Kris Watts singled, and another throwing error, this one by the Potomac second baseman, let Romak score, and gave the Hillcats a 4-3 lead. �

The Hillcats took a more definitive lead in the 5th inning, as they batted around. �Chase d'Arnaud led off with a single, 3B Josh Harrison doubled, and Jordy Mercer singled to score d'Arnaud with the first run. �Jamie Romak grounded into a force out, scoring Harrison. �Kris Watts' 6th home run of the season scored two runs, and mom ents later, another homer by 1B Kent Sakamoto made it 5 runs in the inning. �The 'Cats added two more runs in the 6th, beginning with singles by d'Arnaud and Harrison. �A wild pitch moved both into scoring position, and Mercer's sacrifice fly plated d'Arnaud. �Harrison scored when a pickoff throw went wild for another error. �

Chris Cullen pitched three innings after Owens' three. �He gave up 3 runs as the P-Nats tried to battle back after the Hillcat's 5-run inning. �Cullen hit the first batter he faced. �After two ground outs, a two singles put runners on the corners, and another single brought both runners in. �Mike Colla pitched two 1-2-3 innings, and Ronald Uviedo added a scoreless 9th to finish the game. �Colla earned the win, his 6th of the season. �

The Spikes scored early and late, as they held the Crosscutters to just 4 hits and one run. �Mike Felix earned his first win with the Spikes, though he allowed the only run in the 7th. �Felix faced only one batter over the minimum for the first 3 innings he pitched -- a runner reached on a fielding error by SS Brock Holt. �In the 7th inning, back-to-back doubles scored that one run.�

Brent Klinger pitched 3 hitless and scoreless innings, allowing 2 walks, to begin the game for the Spikes. �Ricardo Paulino finished up with 2 scoreless innings, allowing 2 hits. �

The Spikes jumped onto the scoreboard with 2 runs in the top of the 1st. �Brock Holt walked, CF Evan Chambers reached on a fielding error, and DH Justin Byler brought both of them in with a line drive double into left field. �Holt walked again to spark the rally in the 3rd inning. �Chambers singled, and 1B Aaron Baker plated Holt with an RBI single. �Baker stole second base, putting two runners into scoring position for RF David Rubinstein. �Rubinstein drove another liner into left field, scoring two more runs. �

Things were quiet over the next several innings, though the Spikes worked 3 walks, and added a single by Brock Holt in the 7th. �In the top of the 9th, Brock Holt again got a rally going, this time with a double into right field. �Evan Chambers also doubled, scoring Holt. �A fielding error moved Chambers to third as Justin Byler reached base safely. �Aaron Baker walked to load the bases, and David Rubinstein brought in both Chambers and Byler with his second 2-RBI double of the game. �

Two errors leading to two runs and missed opportunities by the Indians all but handed the game to the Toledo Mud Hens tonight at Victory Field. �Starter Eric Hacker (photo, with catcher Erik Kratz) matched his season-high 7 innings of work and allowed one unearned run, but did not factor into the decision. �RF Jose Tabata led the offense with two hits, a single and a triple. �

Hacker often struggles in the first few innings of his starts, but tonight it was not so much of a problem for him. �He walked former Indy Indian (2007) CF Don Kelly in the first inning, and gave up a single to 1B Max Leon in the 2nd inning, but left both runners stranded. �Hacker was helped out by a very nice catch by Jose Tabata on a fly ball off the bat of Mud Hens' 2B Scott Sizemore in the 1st inning. �

Two errors leading to two runs and missed opportunities by the Indians all but handed the game to the Toledo Mud Hens tonight at Victory Field. �Starter Eric Hacker (photo, with catcher Erik Kratz) matched his season-high 7 innings of work and allowed one unearned run, but did not factor into the decision. �RF Jose Tabata led the offense with two hits, a single and a triple. �

Hacker often struggles in the first few innings of his starts, but tonight it was not so much of a problem for him. �He walked former Indy Indian (2007) CF Don Kelly in the first inning, and gave up a single to 1B Max Leon in the 2nd inning, but left both runners stranded. �Hacker was helped out by a very nice catch by Jose Tabata on a fly ball off the bat of Mud Hens' 2B Scott Sizemore in the 1st inning. �

Noah Krol earned the win in his Hillcats (and A+ level) debut, as his teammates scored early, and then held off the Nationals to preserve the win. �

2B Chase d'Arnaud got the Hillcats off to a good start with a double to begin the game, and SS Jordy Mercer brought both of them in with a 2-run homer. �D'Arnaud began a 3rd inning rally with a single, went to second on a wild pitch, and scored on Mercer's RBI single. �D'Arnaud and Mercer let someone else do the scoring in the 4th inning -- C Eric Fryer doubled, and he scored on CF Jose De Los Santos' RBI single. �The Lynchburg offense was quiet after that inning, though. �The only hit after the 4th inning was a single by De Los Santos in the 7th inning. �LF Erik Huber walked and Fryer was hit by a pitch to put two runners on base in the 9th inning, but both were left on base when the inning ended. �

Justin Wilson made the start for the Hillcats. �He pitched 4 scoreless innings, allowing 2 singles and 4 walks. �He started the 5th inning with a walk, and an RBI double, and was relieved by Noah Krol. �Krol threw a wild pitch, moving a runner to third, and that runner scored on a ground out (run charged to Wilson). �Krol also pitched a scoreless 6th, allowing only a double. �

Tom Boleska pitched 2 innings, and allowed a run in the 8th, on a double, a wild pitch, and an RBI ground out. �Matt McSwain pitched a scoreless 9th, earning his first save of the season.�

Yoslan Herrera arrived at Victory Field just about 2 hours before game time, but it was plenty of time for him. �Herrera earned his second AAA victory, and his first this year, as he combined with relievers Jeff Sues and Jean Machi to shut out the Toledo Mud Hens tonight at Victory Field. �

Herrera looked like he'd been here all season. �He needed only 89 pitches to get through 5.1 innings, as he scattered 3 hits and 2 walks. �Over the first three innings, Herrera allowed only one base runner, Mud Hens' 3B Mike Hessman, who walked to lead off the 2nd inning. �The first hit he allowed came in the 4th inning, also to Hessman, and that was just a dribbly little swinging bunt that wobbled down the third base line as Herrera and 3B Robinzon Diaz didn't touch it, hoping it would go foul (it didn't). �

Herrera allowed two base runners in the 5th inning, when with 2 outs, 1B Max Leon lined a single into left field and SS Audy Ciriaco (just promoted from class A) slipped a grounder just past the diving 2B Brian Bixler for another single. �Herrera got out of the jam when Toledo's 2B Will Rhymes drove a screaming line drive down the first base line and right into the glove of 1B Larry Broadway. �

Herrera began the 6th inning with a strikeout, but then walked former Indy Indian (2007) CF Don Kelly. �That was the end of Herrera's night, and he sat in the dugout to watch the rest of the contest. �Jeff Sues came in from the bullpen to face Mike Hessman. �While Hessman was at the plate, Kelly tried to steal second base, but was gunned down by C Erik Kratz for the second out of the inning. �Sues walked Hessman, but then got RF Brent Clevlen to line out to SS Argenis Diaz, who made a perfectly-timed leap to snatch the ball out of the air. �

Meanwhile, the Indians' batters were quiet through the first three innings as well. �They too had only one base runner over those three innings, as CF Jeff Salazar took a 4-pitch walk in the bottom of the 1st inning. �They got busy in the 4th inning. �With one out, RF Jose Tabata (photo),�who had entered the game in the 2nd inning to replace Brian Myrow, lifted a long fly ball off the wall in the right-center field alley, for a double. �LF Tagg Bozied walked, and Larry Broadway followed with a single through the hole and into right field, driving in Tabata with the first run of the game. �The throw in to the plate from right field was on time and to the plate, but Tabata slid wide around Mud Hens' C Dane Sardinha to avoid the tag, then reached back in to touch the plate with his left hand behind Sardinha. �DH Hector Gimenez grounded to third base, where Mike Hessman made the scoop and fired to second, forcing out Broadway, but between Broadway's slide disrupting Hens' 2B Will Rhymes and the grounder moving slowly enough, Gimenez was able to beat out the throw to first base, allowing Bozied to cross the plate. �

The Indians added another run in the 6th inning. �Jose Tabata led off with a walk. �Tagg Bozied (photo) followed with a long fly ball into the right-center field alley, to the base of the wall. �Mud Hens CF Don Kelly and RF Brent Clevlen converged, and it appeared that the ball glanced off Kelly's glove -- and then he had trouble picking it up. �Bozied was safe at second base with a double, no error charged, and Tabata sped around from first base to score the insurance run. �Larry Broadway came close to adding two more runs, with another long fly, but this one was caught by Kelly on the warning track in center field, missing a home run but not by much. �Bozied tagged up and advanced to third base. �The Mud Hens elected to intentionally walk Hector Gimenez, hoping to set up a double play. �This time the Indians did just as the Hens hoped -- Erik Kratz bounced to third base, and Mike Hessman began the 5-4-3 double play. �The Tribe had a 3-0 lead, and that was all they'd need.

The Indians put base runners on in each of the next two innings, but were not able to score again. �Brian Bixler (photo) reached in the 7th on an error by the Mud Hens' SS Audy Ciriaco, when the ball bounced off his glove and into left field. �In the 8th, Tagg Bozied grounded up the middle for a single, and Larry Broadway followed with a grounder to third base that took a weird hop up and over Mike Hessman's shoulder. �Ciriaco was in perfect position backing up Hessman, and he was able to catch the ball as it came down from the hop, but it wasn't in time to throw out Broadway. �Both were left on base, though, as a fly out and a pop up ended th e inning. �

After he finished the 6th inning for Yoslan Herrera, Jeff Sues pitched two perfect innings. �Jean Machi came on to pitch a perfect 9th inning, earning his 5th save with the Indians. �

The Indians posted a total of 5 hits in the game, with Tagg Bozied and Larry Broadway claiming two hits each. �Jose Tabata had the other hit. �Brian Bixler had a 15-game hitting streak going when he was called up to the Pirates at the end of July, but that streak ended (either back then or today, depending on your point of view) when Bixler went hitless tonight (a walk, two strikeouts, and reached on an error). �

One bit of bad news, and it isn't clear how bad: �in the top of the 2nd inning, in the middle of Dane Sardinha's at-bat, Sardinha lined a ball down the right field line that sliced foul. �Brian Myrow, playing right field, turned to chase after the ball, but took one step and came up limping and unable to stand on his right leg. �It's not clear what had caused the problem -- he didn't trip or stumble or fall. �Trainer Jose Ministral came to check him out, and Myrow limped off the field. �No word at this point as to what he had injured or how bad it is.

[Photo above: �Jeff Salazar and Brian Myrow]

The win puts the Indians one game above .500 for the second time this season. �

Indians' Hitting Gems of the Game: �Two doubles: �#1 by Jose Tabata which got the Indians' rally started in the 4th inning; �#2 by Tagg Bozied in the 6th inning, which drove in Tabata from first base with the Indians' third run. �Bozied was interviewed after the game, and he said that he'd "figured he was going to try to pitch me into a double play with a fastball. �Fortunately, I was able to get a pitch up. �I got a pretty good swing on it, and luckily, Tabata can really run."

Indians' Defensive Gems of the Game: �Three leaping plays. �In the top of the 1st, Scott Sizemore hit a high chopper that bounced in front of the plate and up over the mound. �Pitcher Yoslan Herrera made a huge leap from the top of the mound to snatch the ball out of the air, then landed back on the mound and fire to first base for the out. �Then, in the top of the 3rd, Herrera did it again. �This time it was Audy Ciriaco who hit the high chop, and Herrera again made a leap and took the ball out of the air. �Argenis Diaz made the leap in the 6th inning. �With two outs and a runner on first base, Brent Clevlen hit a line drive that seemed destined for left field. �Diaz saw the ball coming at him, timed his leap perfectly, and came down with the ball in his mitt for the third out of the inning. �

NOTES:

Neil Walker made his major league debut tonight with the Pittsburgh Pirates in Cincinnati. �He made a pinch-hit appearance for starter Charlie Morton in the 6th inning. �Walker grounded a 2-1 pitch toward second base, where Reds' 2B Brandon Phillips made a diving stop, and then threw from his knees to first base, robbing Walker of a hit. �

Erik Kratz was named to the International League Post-Season All-Star team. �He leads all IL catchers with 11 homers and 42 RBI. � Don Kelly was named the All-Star team's Utility Player, as he played mostly outfield, but also all over the infield this year for the Mud Hens.�

Shelly Duncan of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees was named the IL's MVP, leading the league in home runs (29) and RBI (92) with just a week left to go. � �

Brian Myrow was named the International League Player of the Week for last week. �Myrow went 15-for-25 (.600) last week, with 3 homers and 13 RBI. �He has hit .356 for the month of August, and .332 since joining the Indians in June. �He has 8 home runs with the Indians and 34 RBI. �

The Pirates have acquired LHP�Bobby Livingston�from the Cleveland Indians. �Livingston is a 26-year old who was the Mariners' 4th round draft pick in 2001. �He moved up through the Mariners' organization, reaching AAA Tacoma in 2005, and making his major league debut with the Mariners in 2006 (3 games). �Livingston was claimed off waivers by the Reds at the end of 2006, and pitched for Cincinnati and AAA Louisville in 2007, until he suffered a torn labrum in August of that year. �He worked his way back in 2008, with a few games at the Gulf Coast League level and the A+ level, then 9 starts with Louisville. �This season, Livingston has split his time between 4 teams: �AA Bowie and AAA Norfolk in the Orioles' organization, and AA Akron and one game with AAA Columbus in the Cleveland organization. � Most recently, he has been with Akron, where he's made 9 starts, going 56.1 innings for a 2-5 record and a 5.59 ERA. �He has allowed 59 hits, 11 walks, and 23 strikeouts. �Livingston was in the Indians' dugout this evening.

Go Tribe!

[Photos by Nancy Zinni-- MVN]

Three runs in the top of the 12th by the Aeros broke a tie that had lasted for 5 innings, and gave Akron the win. �With Scott Nestor on the mound and one out, a single, a walk, and a double brought in two runs, and a sacrifice fly added a third run. �The Curve went down in order in the bottom of the frame. �

Akron had scored first, way back in the 1st inning, on two walks, two stolen bases, and a sacrifice fly off the rehabbing Donnie Veal. �Veal retired the side in order in the 2nd inning, but in the 3rd inning he loaded the bases with a single, a walk, a wild pitch, and another walk. �Derek Hankins relieved Veal and got out of the jam with a strikeout and a pop out. �

The Curve took the lead with a run in each of three innings. �Wildness on the part of Akron pitcher Connor Graham helped the Curve in the 2nd, 1B Miles Durham singled, went to second base on a wild pitch, and scored on 3B Ray Chang's RBI single. �2B Shelby Ford grounded into a force out and replaced Chang at first base. �Another wild pitch and a passed ball moved Ford to second and then to third base. �C Steve Lerud was hit by a pitch, and he stole second base, giving the Curve two runners in scoring position. �A ground out ended the inning without further scoring, though. �

A single by CF Gorkys Hernandez and a double by RF Jonel Pacheco added another run in the 3rd inning. �In the 5th, Pacheco tripled, and came across the plate on Miles Durham's RBI single. �That was all the scoring the Curve would do. �They had only one base runner over the next four innings, when DH Jason Delaney walked in the 7th. �In the 10th, the Curve put two runners on base, with a single by Delaney and a walk to Ray Chang, but they couldn't get them to score. �

Derek Hankins pitched a total of 6.1 innings, and had trouble in only one inning. �In the 6th, he allowed 2 runs on a single, a ground-rule double, and another double. �That was enough to tie the score. �Scott Nestor took over in the 9th inning, and held Akron to two walks and a single over the next two innings. �

The Hillcats scored early, but the Nationals scored late, including a walk-off run in the 11th inning, to take the win. �

3B Josh Harrison had 3 hits, 2 doubles and a single, accounting for half of the Hillcats' hits. �His first double, in the top of the 1st inning, moved 2B Chase d'Arnaud to third base after his walk. �D'Arnaud scored on a fielding error on DH Jamie Romak's ball to second base. �Harrison also tried to score but was out at the plate. �In the 3rd inning, CF Jose De Los Santos reached on an error, and d'Arnaud walked again. �Harrison sacrifice bunted them to second and third, and De Los Santos came home on SS Jordy Mercer's sacrifice fly. �It was the same crew in the 5th, when RF Alex Presley singled, moved to second on De Los Santos' bunt, on to third on d'Arnaud's ground out, and then scored on Harrison's second double. �

Jeff Locke pitched 5.2 innings and allowed 3 runs, to tie the score. �After scattering 3 hits and a walk over the first 3 innings, Locke allowed one run in the 4th, on a walk, a ground out, and an RBI single. �Another single, two doubles, and a sacrifice fly added 2 more runs in the 6th inning to tie the score. �Mike Colla relieved Locke and finished the 6th inning, then retired the side in order in the 7th. �Harrison Bishop�came on next and pitched 3 scoreless and hitless innings, going into extras, but he did allow 2 walks. �

The Hillcats threatened in the 10th inning. �With two outs, Chase d'Arnaud walkd and Josh Harrison singled. �A wild pitch moved both into scoring position, but a grounder force out ended the threat. �In the 11th, again with two outs, C Kris Watts and LF Jared Keel both singled, and again a wild pitch moved both into scoring position. �A strikeout ended that threat. �

Chris Cullen took the mound in the 11th. �A walk, a sacrifice bunt, and a wild pitch put a runner on third base. �An intentional walk and a hit batter loaded the bases with one out, but only the runner on third was important. �That runner scored on a sacrifice fly, to give Potomac the win. �

A 4-run 3rd inning gave the Power the boost they needed to not be intimidated by the Intimidators. �The Power got onto the scoreboard in the top of the 1st, on singles by CF Starling Marte and LF Robbie Grossman. �C Tony Sanchez plated Marte with a sacrifice fly for the Power's first run. �Grossman led off the 3rd with a single, and another single by DH Calvin Anderson and back-to-back doubles by 1B Kyle Morgan and RF Quincy Latimore brought in three runs. �3B Bobby Spain was hit by a pitch, and SS Adenson Chourio singled to bring in Latimore and give the Power a 5-0 lead. �Sanchez added two more runs in the 6th inning, with a 2-run homer, after Marte's second single of the game. �

Brian Leach pitched 6.1 scoreless innings for the Power, allowing only 2 hits and a walk, while striking out 5 batters. �He retired 10 batters in order from the end of the 2nd inning through the 5th inning. �Melkin Laureano, in his first appearance since being promoted from the Bradenton Pirates, got two strikeouts to finish the 7th inning. �Ryan Kelly pitched the last 2 innings for the Power, and he gave up the only runs Kannapolis would score, both unearned. �After two strikeouts, Kelly gave up two singles. �The next batter reached on a fielding error by Bobby Spain at third base. �One run came in on that play, and two more scored on an RBI double. �Kelly retired the side in order in the 9th. �

The Spikes jumped out to an early lead, and held off the Muckdogs for a shutout. �Jeff Inman, the Pirates' 12th round draft pick this year, made his organizational debut by pitching 2 scoreless innings and allowing 2 hits. �Jason Erickson relieved Inman and pitched 4 innings, retiring the first 10 batters he faced before allowing only 1 hit. �Nathan Baker followed with 2 innings and 1 hit, and Mike Williams pitched the final perfect inning. �

SS Brock Holt led the offensive attack with 3 hits, and C Craig Parry added 2 doubles. �Holt got things started in the 1st inning with his first single, and a walk to CF Evan Chambers and a single by DH Justin Byler loaded the bases. �A fielding error on 1B Aaron Baker's knock to shortstop allowed both Holt and Chambers to score. �A double play ended that inning, but the Spikes came right back to score 2 more runs in the 2nd inning. �2B Elevys Gonzalez opened the inning by reaching second base on a missed catch error by the Batavia pitcher. �Craig Parry's double drove in Gonzalez. �A wild pitch moved Parry to third base, and he scored from there when Brock Holt hit his second single. �

The Spikes had only one batter reach base over the next 3 innings, when Justin Byler was safe on a throwing error. �They were able to take advantage of Batavia errors in the 6th, beginning with a walk to 3B Pat Irvine. �Irvine went to second base on a wild pitch and to third on a passed ball on Elevys Gonzalez's strike three, and Gonzalez was safe at first. �Craig Parry's second double of the game brought in two runs, Irvine and Gonzalez, and Brock Holt's third single scored Parry to give the Spikes a 7-0 advantage. �

Vasquez (photo) has been with the Pirates earlier this season, most recently at the end of July and early August. �He has made 7 appearances, all starts, for a total of 34 innings. �He's allowed 46 hits and 23 runs, with 15 walks and 21 strikeouts. �His record with the Pirates in 2-5, and his ERA is 6.07. �Vasquez was more effective for the Indians this season. �He made 19 starts, with a 7-4 record and a 3.93 ERA. �IN 107.2 innings, he allowed 116 hits and 47 earned runs, with 16 walks and 72 strikeouts. �

Walker (photo), a Pittsburgh-area native, will be joining the major league club for the first time. �He got off to a slow start this season for the Indians, and missed most of June and about half of July due to a knee injury, suffered when he dove into first base. �But since coming back from a stint on the Disabled List, and particularly since July 30th, Walker has been on fire. �His overall batting average rose from .219 at the end of July to .264, due to a .339 average for August. �He has a total of 14 home runs (2nd on the Indians), 6 of which came during this last big push. �He's had 34 RBI during this time, and a team-leading 69 for the season. �His 31 doubles also lead the team, and tie him for 6th in the International League. �

LATER:

More Promotions �(Like a chain reaction):

Yoslan Herrera has been promoted from Altoona to Indianapolis, and he will make the start tonight for the Indians. �Herrera has made two appearances already this season for Indy, going a total of 4.2 innings and allowing 5 hits and one run (a home run), with 3 walks and 2 strikeouts.

Donnie Veal will make the start in Altoona instead of Herrera.

Moises Robles has been promoted from Lynchburg to Altoona. �He has made 28 relief appearances for the Hillcats, earning a 0-2 record and a 4.43 ERA in 42.2 innings. �He has allowed 48 hits and 21 earned runs, with 7 walks and 26 strikeouts. �Robles also made 3 appearances for the Curve earlier this season, allowing 5 runs on 9 hits and 2 walks, with 5 strikeouts in 5 innings. �

Noah Krol�has been moved up from West Virginia to Lynchburg. �Krol has made 21 relief appearances for the Power, with a 5-0 record and 2 saves. �In 37 innings, he has allowed 39 hits and 12 earned runs, with 11 walks and 32 strikeouts.�