PIRATES PROSPECTSPITTSBURGH PIRATES MINOR LEAGUE NEWS, TRANSACTIONS, AND ARTICLES

The Indianapolis Indians still had a lot of hits left in their bats -- after posting 16 hits last night on their way to 14 runs, they came up with another 16 hits tonight, again stomping on the Clippers at Huntington Park in Columbus, Ohio. �Three Tribe batters, LF Chris Barnwell, CF Jose Tabata, and 2B Pedro Lopez, had 3 hits each, and another three batters, RF Tagg Bozied, 3B Neil Walker, and 1B Robinzon Diaz, had 2 hits apiece.�

Starter Daniel McCutchen (photo) and reliever Jeremy Powell combined to shut out the Clippers and hold them to 7 hits, earning McCutchen his 12th win and Powell his 2nd save.

Like last night,�Chris Barnwell began the game by taking the first pitch of the game into the outfield for a hit -- tonight it was a line drive single to right field. �Tonight, despite another single by�Pedro Lopez to move Barnwell to second, the Tribe did not score in the 1st inning. �Instead, they got their first run in the 2nd. �

Neil Walker�(photo)�smacked a single through the hole and �into left field, and went to second base when C Erik Kratz grounded slowly to third base -- the only play was at first. �Robinzon Diaz, who was playing first base for the second time, singled into left field, and Walker scored. �

The Tribe added two more runs in the 3rd inning. �Chris Barnwell and�Jose Tabata both singled into center field. �Pedro Lopez dropped down a sacrifice bunt, moving both runners into scoring position. �DH Jeff Clement picked up an RBI with a ground out, scoring Barnwell. ��Tagg Bozied walked, to put runners on the corner. �With Neil Walker batting, Bozied took off for second base and drew Clippers' catcher Damaso Espino's throw. �Tabata delayed until the ball was in the air, then he scrambled for the plate. �Both runners were safe on the double steal. ��

Columbus starter Mike Gosling gave the Indians another two runs in the 5th inning. �With one out, Jose Tabata lined a single into center field. �Doubles by Pedro Lopez and Tagg Bozied (photo below), both into center field, scored Tabata and Lopez, and gave the Tribe a 5-0 lead. �

Reliever Frank Herrmann took over for Gosling to begin the 6th inning, and the Indians didn't treat him much better in that inning. �With one out, a fielding error by Clippers' SS Jesus Merchan put Robinzon Diaz on base, and the Indians took advantage of the mistake. �Two straight singles by Chris Barnwell and Jose Tabata, loaded the bases, and the third single, by Pedro Lopez pushed Diaz and Barnwell across the plate. �Indians 7, Clippers 0.

Herrmann settled in and limited the Tribe to a double by Tagg Bozied in the 7th inning and a single by SS Argenis Diaz in the 8th, but neither could come around to score. �Zach Jackson �pitched the 9th for Columbus, and he gave up a double to Neil Walker, his 24th of the season, �but again the Indians didn't score.

Daniel McCutchen threw 96 pitches (64 strikes) in his 6 innings of work, earning his 12th win of the season. �He worked around at least one base runner in each inning, as he scattered a double, 4 singles, and 2 walks. �He also had a batter reach base on a missed catch error by Robinzon Diaz at first. �He also struck out 5 batters. �

Jeremy Powell (photo) pitched the final 3 innings of the game to earn his second save. �He allowed a lead-off double by Damaso Espino in the 7th, and a two-out double by 3B Wes Hodges in the 8th, neither time allowing the runner to score. �Powell then got three ground outs in the 9th to end the game. �

�

Indians' Hitting Gems of the Game: �Three hits, a double and two singles, by Pedro Lopez, for 3 RBI. �

Indians' Defensive Gems of the Game: �9 shutout innings by Daniel McCutchen and Jeremy Powell. �Runners got on base, but they didn't score. �

NOTES:

With Brian Bixler up with the Pirates, a roster spot opened up, and Larry Broadway came off the disabled list (calf injury). �He got into the game as a pinch hitter in the 7th inning (fly out) and remained in the game to play first base for the last 3 innings.�

Go Tribe!

[Photos by Nancy Zinni -- MVN]

Yoslan Herrera's winning streak could not go on forever. �It ended last night, when he was charged with his first loss of the season. �It was a tough loss, too -- he pitched 5 innings nad allowed only one run on 6 hits and 5 walks, with 6 strikeouts. �The lone run came in the first inning. �He gave up a single and a walk, then eliminated one base runner with a double play. �But two more walks and a single brought in the run. �Herrera had base runners on in each of the next 4 innings, but did not let them score. �

In fact, no one scored at all until the top of the 7th. With reliever Derek Hankins on the mound, a ground-rule double and a single gave the Fisher Cats another run. �

The Curve put base runners on in each of the first 3 innings, but fell victim to two double plays, and had a runner picked off. �They went down in order over the next four innings, until they finally got onto the scoreboard in the 8th inning. �C Steve Lerud led off with a double, and LF Jonel Pacheco walked. �DH Ray Chang loaded the bases with an infield single. �CF Jeff Corsaletti brought Lerud in with an RBI single into left field. �But SS Brian Friday cut the rally short by bouncing into a 1-2-3 double play, forcing Pacheco out at home, and a fly out ended the inning. �F-Cats 2, Curve 1.

The Fisher Cats picked up 2 insurance runs in the top of the 9th. �Derek Hankins began the inning by allowing a double and an RBI single, and was relieved by Scott Nestor. �Nestor's wild pitch moved the base runner to third, and after two outs, an RBI single brought in another run. �The Curve rallied again in the bottom of the 9th, beginning with walks to RF Miles Durham and 1B Jason Delaney. �Steve Lerud's single plated Durham. �Jonel Pacheco singled to load the bases, but Ray Chang hit into an inning-ending double play, and the Curve came up short. �

3B Pedro Alvarez went 0-for-3 with a walk, but the walk extended his on-base streak to 14 games. �His batting average stands at .343. �Cory Giger of the Altoona Mirror talked to Pirates' GM Neal Huntington�this week when he was in Altoona, and got the scoop on why Alvarez will probably not be boosted up to Pittsburgh this season, and may not even get moved up to Indianapolis for a couple of weeks. �

This was a completion of the game that began on Aug 5th, but had to be suspended due to lightning in the middle of the 5th. �Neither team had scored yet, but when the game resumed, the Pirated broke out with 6 runs in the top of the 6th. �DH Ramon Cabrera brought in the first run with an RBI single, and�C Andrew Walker brought in another with a double. �RF Wesley Freeman's grand slam put the game away. �3B Henry Henry added a solo homer in the 8th. �

The pitching is a bit confusing in this game. �On Aug 5th, it was reported that Brooks Pounders had started the game and pitched 4 innings. �Now milb reports that Jhonatan Ramos not only began the game, but continued pitching after the game was resumed nearly two weeks later. �(Hmmmm....). �Ramos was credited with his 5th win, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits, with 6 strikeouts. �Edgar Gutierrez pitched 2.1 scoreless innings in relief. �

This was the regularly scheduled game, which went only 7 innings. �1B Gerlis Rodriguez had the RBI single in the 1st inning, and C Jesus Aguilera had the RBI single in the 2nd, giving the Pirates their first two runs. �Brooks Pounders pitched 2 innings and allowed 4 runs (one earned) on 3 hits and 5 walks. �DH Jairo Marquez gave the Pirates the lead in the top of the 5th with a 3-run homer. �But the Tigers came back to score 6 runs in the bottom of the 5th, on 4 walks, a wild pitch, a throwing error, a single, and a 3-run homer. �Zachary Fuesser and Papiro Juan each allowed 3 runs, with 5 walks by Fuesser, who was charged with the loss, and 2 walks by Juan. �Rinku Singh finished the game for the Pirates with a perfect 6th inning -- two strikeouts (swinging) and a pop out. ��

Matt McSwain pitched 5.2 innings in his 8th loss, allowing 4 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks, with 3 strikeouts. �The Pelicans scored in the first inning with a 2-run homer. �The Hillcats came back with a run in the 3rd, when SS Chase d'Arnaud singled, stole second base, and scored on a fielding error. �LF Jared Keel added another run in the 4th with his 11th hom er of the season to tie the game. �The Pe licans took the lead again in the top of the 6th, when McSwain loaded the bases with a double and two walks, then had a run score on a double play, and another run come in on a double. �Chris Cullen and Tom Boleska finished the game for the Hillcats, without allowing another run to score.

The Hillcats had a total of 9 hits, with each member of the starting line-up posting one and only one hit apiece.

The Power swept the 4-game series with the Legends, and the 8-game road trip. �They went into the top of the 9th with the score tied at 3-3. �3B Bobby Spain led off with a single and was replaced by pinch runner Brett Willemburg, fresh off the disabled list. �A ground out moved Willemburg to second base, and a throwing error on C Josue Peley's sacrifice bunt scored Willemburg with the go-ahead run. �SS Greg Picart singled and DH Tony Sanchez was intentionally walked to load the bases, and a wild pitch by the new relief pitcher allowed Peley to score an insurance run. �The Power would need that insurance. The Legends rallied in the bottom of the 9th, with Gabriel Alvarado on the mound. �A walk, a single, and a fielding error by Willemburg, now at third base, brought in a run. A passed ball put runners on second and third bases, but Alvarado got a strikeout to end the inning and the game. �Alvarado earned his 6th win. �Starter Aaron Pribanic pitched 5 innings and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, no walks, and 3 strikeouts. �

Bobby Spain went 3-for-4 for the Power and Tony Sanchez went 2-for-3.

The Spikes went into the 9th inning with a 3-0 lead. �Starter Mike Felix allowed only one hit in�4.2 scoreless innings, and Mike Williams added another 2.1 scoreless innings. �Vermont picked up only their second hit of the game in the 8th inning off reliever Alan Knotts. �But in the bottom of the 9th, Knotts began with a hit batter and a wild pitch. �Then two singles and a triple tied the game at 3-3. �Spikes' manager Gary Robinson was ejected at that point. �Then two intentionally walks and a sacrifice fly gave Vermont the walk-off win. �

1B Justin Byler scored the Spikes' first run with a solo homer in the 4th inning. �His RBI ground out plated SS Brock Holt, who had been hit by a pitch, in the 6th. �Three fielding errors by Vermont along with a sacrifice bunt by 2B Deybis Benitez allowed 3B Pat Irvine to score the Spikes' third run in the 7th. �

Yoslan Herrera's winning streak could not go on forever. �It ended last night, when he was charged with his first loss of the season. �It was a tough loss, too -- he pitched 5 innings nad allowed only one run on 6 hits and 5 walks, with 6 strikeouts. �The lone run came in the first inning. �He gave up a single and a walk, then eliminated one base runner with a double play. �But two more walks and a single brought in the run. �Herrera had base runners on in each of the next 4 innings, but did not let them score. �

In fact, no one scored at all until the top of the 7th. With reliever Derek Hankins on the mound, a ground-rule double and a single gave the Fisher Cats another run. �

The Curve put base runners on in each of the first 3 innings, but fell victim to two double plays, and had a runner picked off. �They went down in order over the next four innings, until they finally got onto the scoreboard in the 8th inning. �C Steve Lerud led off with a double, and LF Jonel Pacheco walked. �DH Ray Chang loaded the bases with an infield single. �CF Jeff Corsaletti brought Lerud in with an RBI single into left field. �But SS Brian Friday cut the rally short by bouncing into a 1-2-3 double play, forcing Pacheco out at home, and a fly out ended the inning. �F-Cats 2, Curve 1.

The Fisher Cats picked up 2 insurance runs in the top of the 9th. �Derek Hankins began the inning by allowing a double and an RBI single, and was relieved by Scott Nestor. �Nestor's wild pitch moved the base runner to third, and after two outs, an RBI single brought in another run. �The Curve rallied again in the bottom of the 9th, beginning with walks to RF Miles Durham and 1B Jason Delaney. �Steve Lerud's single plated Durham. �Jonel Pacheco singled to load the bases, but Ray Chang hit into an inning-ending double play, and the Curve came up short. �

3B Pedro Alvarez went 0-for-3 with a walk, but the walk extended his on-base streak to 14 games. �His batting average stands at .343. �Cory Giger of the Altoona Mirror talked to Pirates' GM Neal Huntington�this week when he was in Altoona, and got the scoop on why Alvarez will probably not be boosted up to Pittsburgh this season, and may not even get moved up to Indianapolis for a couple of weeks. �

This was a completion of the game that began on Aug 5th, but had to be suspended due to lightning in the middle of the 5th. �Neither team had scored yet, but when the game resumed, the Pirated broke out with 6 runs in the top of the 6th. �DH Ramon Cabrera brought in the first run with an RBI single, and�C Andrew Walker brought in another with a double. �RF Wesley Freeman's grand slam put the game away. �3B Henry Henry added a solo homer in the 8th. �

The pitching is a bit confusing in this game. �On Aug 5th, it was reported that Brooks Pounders had started the game and pitched 4 innings. �Now milb reports that Jhonatan Ramos not only began the game, but continued pitching after the game was resumed nearly two weeks later. �(Hmmmm....). �Ramos was credited with his 5th win, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits, with 6 strikeouts. �Edgar Gutierrez pitched 2.1 scoreless innings in relief. �

This was the regularly scheduled game, which went only 7 innings. �1B Gerlis Rodriguez had the RBI single in the 1st inning, and C Jesus Aguilera had the RBI single in the 2nd, giving the Pirates their first two runs. �Brooks Pounders pitched 2 innings and allowed 4 runs (one earned) on 3 hits and 5 walks. �DH Jairo Marquez gave the Pirates the lead in the top of the 5th with a 3-run homer. �But the Tigers came back to score 6 runs in the bottom of the 5th, on 4 walks, a wild pitch, a throwing error, a single, and a 3-run homer. �Zachary Fuesser and Papiro Juan each allowed 3 runs, with 5 walks by Fuesser, who was charged with the loss, and 2 walks by Juan. �Rinku Singh finished the game for the Pirates with a perfect 6th inning -- two strikeouts (swinging) and a pop out. ��

Matt McSwain pitched 5.2 innings in his 8th loss, allowing 4 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks, with 3 strikeouts. �The Pelicans scored in the first inning with a 2-run homer. �The Hillcats came back with a run in the 3rd, when SS Chase d'Arnaud singled, stole second base, and scored on a fielding error. �LF Jared Keel added another run in the 4th with his 11th hom er of the season to tie the game. �The Pe licans took the lead again in the top of the 6th, when McSwain loaded the bases with a double and two walks, then had a run score on a double play, and another run come in on a double. �Chris Cullen and Tom Boleska finished the game for the Hillcats, without allowing another run to score.

The Hillcats had a total of 9 hits, with each member of the starting line-up posting one and only one hit apiece.

The Power swept the 4-game series with the Legends, and the 8-game road trip. �They went into the top of the 9th with the score tied at 3-3. �3B Bobby Spain led off with a single and was replaced by pinch runner Brett Willemburg, fresh off the disabled list. �A ground out moved Willemburg to second base, and a throwing error on C Josue Peley's sacrifice bunt scored Willemburg with the go-ahead run. �SS Greg Picart singled and DH Tony Sanchez was intentionally walked to load the bases, and a wild pitch by the new relief pitcher allowed Peley to score an insurance run. �The Power would need that insurance. The Legends rallied in the bottom of the 9th, with Gabriel Alvarado on the mound. �A walk, a single, and a fielding error by Willemburg, now at third base, brought in a run. A passed ball put runners on second and third bases, but Alvarado got a strikeout to end the inning and the game. �Alvarado earned his 6th win. �Starter Aaron Pribanic pitched 5 innings and allowed 2 runs on 3 hits, no walks, and 3 strikeouts. �

Bobby Spain went 3-for-4 for the Power and Tony Sanchez went 2-for-3.

The Spikes went into the 9th inning with a 3-0 lead. �Starter Mike Felix allowed only one hit in�4.2 scoreless innings, and Mike Williams added another 2.1 scoreless innings. �Vermont picked up only their second hit of the game in the 8th inning off reliever Alan Knotts. �But in the bottom of the 9th, Knotts began with a hit batter and a wild pitch. �Then two singles and a triple tied the game at 3-3. �Spikes' manager Gary Robinson was ejected at that point. �Then two intentionally walks and a sacrifice fly gave Vermont the walk-off win. �

1B Justin Byler scored the Spikes' first run with a solo homer in the 4th inning. �His RBI ground out plated SS Brock Holt, who had been hit by a pitch, in the 6th. �Three fielding errors by Vermont along with a sacrifice bunt by 2B Deybis Benitez allowed 3B Pat Irvine to score the Spikes' third run in the 7th. �

Bixler has earned this call-up, after hitting .343 for the month of July, with 6 doubles, 3 triples, 6 homers, and 20 RBI. �That hot hitting continued into August, with Bixler hitting .321, with 2 more singles, 3 more homers, and 6 RBI. Bixler was a late scratch from last night's Indians' game, interrupting his 15-game hitting streak. �

Bautista made 35 appearances for the Pirates last season, all in relief, earning a 4-3 record and a 6.10 ERA. �He has been with the Indy Indians all season, making 36 relief appearances for 48 innings. �He's allowed 54 hits and 29 runs (26 earned) with 34 walks and 58 strikeouts. �He has a 2-3 record and a 4.88 ERA. �

Phil Dumatrait will join the Indians bullpen, taking Bautista's place. �He is still on his rehab assignment and may swap places with Bautista when he's ready to come off the Disabled List. �

OF Jeff Salazar was Designated For Assignment -- he will be on waivers for up to 10 days. �That makes room for Bixler. �

Bixler has earned this call-up, after hitting .343 for the month of July, with 6 doubles, 3 triples, 6 homers, and 20 RBI. �That hot hitting continued into August, with Bixler hitting .321, with 2 more singles, 3 more homers, and 6 RBI. Bixler was a late scratch from last night's Indians' game, interrupting his 15-game hitting streak. �

Bautista made 35 appearances for the Pirates last season, all in relief, earning a 4-3 record and a 6.10 ERA. �He has been with the Indy Indians all season, making 36 relief appearances for 48 innings. �He's allowed 54 hits and 29 runs (26 earned) with 34 walks and 58 strikeouts. �He has a 2-3 record and a 4.88 ERA. �

Phil Dumatrait will join the Indians bullpen, taking Bautista's place. �He is still on his rehab assignment and may swap places with Bautista when he's ready to come off the Disabled List. �

OF Jeff Salazar was Designated For Assignment -- he will be on waivers for up to 10 days. �That makes room for Bixler. �

The Pittsburg Pirates' first round draft picks from 2007 and 2008 combined to lift the Curve to a win over the Fisher Cats. �3B Pedro Alvarez (2008) went 3-for-3 with a homer, and starting pitcher Danny Moskos (2007) pitched 8 strong innings to earn his 9th win of the season. �Moskos scattered 5 hits over the 8 innings. �He allowed only one hit in the first 4 innings, and that was a solo home run to lead off the 2nd inning. �A single and a fielding error put two Fisher Cats on base in the 5th, but Moskos struck out two to end the inning. �Another single in the 7th was erased by a double play. �Moskos gave up another run in the 8th on a lead-off triple and a single. �He struck out a total of 6 batters, and did not walk anyone.

The Curve scored their first run in the 3rd inning. �2B Shelby Ford, who went 1-for-2 with a walk, doubled to begin the inning. �After two strikeouts, SS Brian Friday singled into left field, plating Ford. �Friday went to second on the throw, but then was caught in a run-down and was tagged out. �Pedro Alvarez walked in his first at-bat in the 1st. �In the 4th, Alvarez led off with his 9th home run with the Curve, to give the Curve a 2-0 lead. �Alvarez also singled in the 6th inning, but was out at second in a double play.

The Curve threatened in the 7th inning. �1B Jason Delaney led off with a single, but was erased when LF Jeff Corsaletti bounced into a double play. �DH Ray Chang walked and went to second base on a wild pitch. �Shelby Ford was intentionally walked, and then C Miguel Perez was hit by a pitch to load the bases. �But CF Gorkys Hernandez struck out to end the inning. �

After the Fisher Cats tied the game at 2-2 with their run in the top of the 8th, the Curve came back in the bottom of the frame. �Pedro Alvarez singled for his third hit of the game. �RF Miles Durham also singled, putting two runners on. �Jeff Corsaletti grounded to short, but a throwing error by the Fisher Cats' shortstop allowed Alvarez to score with what would be the winning run. �

Ramon Aguero, in his first appearance with the Curve, earned the Save. �He took the mound in the 9th, and got a fly out, then gave up a double, then got a ground out that moved the base runner to third base. �The next batter tried to drop down a suicide squeeze bunt, but Aguero scooped up the ball and fired it to the plate in time for Miguel Perez to tag out the base runner at the plate to end the game. �

Pedro Alvarez is now hitting .468 for the month of August, and has walked 12 times in the month. �

The Pelicans and Hillcats combined for 27 hits, but the Hillcats left 9 runners on base and were 4-for-11 with runners in scoring position. �The score was tied at 6-6 going into the 9th inning, but closer RJ Rodriguez had a very un-RJ-like outing, as he gave up 3 runs and took the loss. �After striking out the first batter in the 9th, Rodriguez gave up a double and a walk, then gave up a 3-run homer to Gerardo Rodriguez. �A strikeout and a ground out ended the inning, but not before Hillcats' DH Jamie Romak was ejected from the game -- and he would not have even been on the field at the time. �The Hillcats got one base runner on in the 9th, on a single by 3B Jordy Mercer, but two strikeouts ended the inning with Mercer still on base. �

The Pelicans scored first, collecting one run in the 1st inning on a single, a stolen base, and an RBI single. �They added two runs in the 2nd, on a single, a fielding error by pitcher Jeff Locke, and an RBI double. �The Hillcats tied it up at 3-3 in the bottom of the 3rd. �2B Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer led off with back-to-back singles. �Jamie Romak doubled, bringing in Harrison, and C Kris Watts lined a single into right field, scoring both Mercer and Romak. �

Myrtle Beach took the lead again in the 5th, on a double and two singles. �Another single filled the bases with Pelicans, but Jeff Locke struck out the next batter and then induced a double play to end the inning. �Locke came back out to begin the 6th inning, but gave up a double, a single, a sacrifice bunt, a walk, and another single, all bringing in 2 runs. �Locke was relieved by Moises Robles, who got a strikeout to end the inning. �Locke was responsible for 6 runs (5 earned), on 12 hits and 2 walks. �Robles pitched two more innings, retiring all 7 batters he faced. �

The Hillcats tied the game again in the 7th inning. �SS Chase d'Arnaud and Josh Harrison both singled, and d'Arnaud stole third base. �Kris Watts brought them both in with a blast over the right field wall for his 5th homer of the season. �

Hunter Strickland pitched 6 excellent innings, allowing 2 runs on only 4 hits, no walks, with 3 strikeouts. �Two of the hits came in the 4th inning, a double and a homer, accounting for the Legends' only two runs of the game. �Strickland worked around a lead-off single in the 3rd inning. �He also allowed a single in the 5th, but erased that batter on a double play. �

The Po wer got onto the scoreboard in the top of the 1st, when LF Robbie Grossman boomed his 5th homer of the season over the right field wall. �They threatened in the 4th inning, when 1B Kyle Morgan and DH Calvin Anderson singled, and moved to second and third on a ground out. �Two strikeouts ended that inning without a run scoring. �

The Power regained the lead with 2 runs in the 7th inning. �CF Starling Marte led off with a single, and a throwing error on 3B Bobby Spain's grounder to second base put runners on the corners. �2B Danny Bomback brought Marte in with a sacrifice fly. �Spain moved to second base on RF Austin McClune's ground out, and on to third on a wild pitch. �C Josue Peley scored Spain with an RBI single, and the Power had a 3-2 lead. �They added two insurance runs in the 9th. �Spain singled, and Bomback reached base on a fielding error, and both scored on McClune's RBI double. �

Duke Welker pitched 2 scoreless innings in relief. �He allowed only one base runner -- a batter he hit with a pitch. �Casey Erickson gave up 2 singles in the 9th, but two fly outs ended the inning and the game without more runs scoring. �

Three hits by 3B Pat Irvine, including a double and a home run, were not enough for the Spikes to overcome the Lake Monsters. �Irvine's double was the Spikes' only hit over the first 4 innings. �He scored the team's first run with a solo homer to lead off the 5th inning. �That got his teammates going -- DH Justin Byler followed the home run with a single, and C Craig Parry's grounder force out left Parry on first base. �Parry stole second, and LF Kyle Saukko walked. �SS Brock Holt brought Parry in with an RBI single into right field. �CF Evan Chambers walked to load the bases, but former Spike Gary Amato came on in relief for Vermont, and he got 1B Aaron Baker to line out to end the inning. �

The Spikes took advantage of two Vermont errors in the 6th inning to score again. �A fielding error on RF David Rubinstein's ball to third put him on second base. �He moved to third base on a ground out, and a fielding error on Justin Byler's hit to short allowed Rubinstein to score. Pat Irvine singled in the 8th and stole second base, but could not come around to score. �

Starter Kyle McPherson pitched 6 innings for the Spikes. �He gave up one run in the 3rd inning, on a single, a double, and a sacrifice fly. �He also allowed a two-run homer in the 6th, as Vermont tied the game at 3-3. �Zach Foster pitched a perfect 7th inning, striking out two batters. �Teddy Fallon suffered the loss, when he gave up the tie-breaking runs in the 8th. Two walks and a single�loaded the bases, and two sacrifice flies brought in the two runs. �

The Pirates scored all four of their runs in the 3rd inning. �RF Edwin Roman opened the inning with a single and 2B Elevys Gonzalez walked. �DH Ramon Cabrera grounded to short, and a missed catch error at second base left the bases homer. �C Jairo Marquez cleared the bases with a triple for three run. �After a walk by CF Wesley Freeman, 3B Henry Henry singled, scoring Marquez. �

Mitchell Fienemann started for the Pirates and pitched 3 innings. �He gave up 5 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits, no walks, with 3 strikeouts. �A 2-run homer put the Braves on the board in the 2nd inning (the 2 earned runs). �Two throwing errors by Henry Henry in the 3rd inning, plus a 2-run homer, brought in the unearned runs in the 3rd inning. �Andres Santos gave up 2 runs on two singles and a double in the 4th inning. �Ryan Beckman pitched the final 5 innings for the Pirates. �He scattered 3 singles over those 5 innings, and struck out 3 batters, keeping the Braves from scoring again. �

The Indianapolis Indians blew the Clippers out of the water, completely sinking their pitching and taking advantage of 4 Columbus errors, at Huntington Park in Columbus, Ohio tonight. �The Indians tallied up 14 runs on 16 hits. �Each Indians' batter scored at least one run, and all but one had at least one hit. �Four Tribe batters, SS Chris Barnwell, 1B Jeff Clement, RF Tagg Bozied, and C Erik Kratz (photo),�had 3 hits, while Clement and Kratz contributed 4 RBI each.

�The fun began with the first pitch of the game, which Chris Barnwell ripped into center field for a double. �Eleven batters later, the Indians had 7 runs. �LF Brian Myrow walked and Jeff Clement lifted the first pitch he saw over the center field wall just to the right of the batters' eye, for a 3-run homer. �Tagg Bozied singled, and Erik Kratz doubled, adding another run. �A walk to DH Hector Gimenez and a wild pitch moved the runners up to second and third bases. �2B Pedro Lopez grounded to short, and the Clippers made their first two errors. �SS Jesus Merchan bobbled the ball as he fielded it, giving Lopez time to reach first base safely. Kratz scored easily. �1B Niuman Romero threw the ball home, catching Gimenez between third and home, but a throwing error by C Lou Marson in the rundown allowed Gimenez to score also, and left Lopez at second base. �Chris Barnwell's second hit of the inning, a line drive single into left field, scored Lopez, as the throw in to the plate was in time, but bounced off Marson's �chest protector and over toward the third-base dugout. �Just to make sure, the Indians added another run in the 2nd inning. �Tagg Bozied reached on an infield single, when the throw from shortstop bounced in the dirt at first base. �3B Neil Walker doubled off the left field wall, and Bozied scored easily.��Indians 8, Clippers 0.

Indians starter Brad Lincoln (photo) took the mound in the bottom of the 1st with a pocket full of run support. �He scattered 6 hits, no walks, over 5 innings of work, and took advantage of 6 strikeouts and a timely double play to get him out of some minor jams. �Lincoln allowed only two runs, both solo homers, and both in the 4th inning. �The first homer was by LF Matt LaPorta, who went 4-for-4, and the second was by RF Stephen Head.

The Tribe responded to Columbus's 2 runs with another Big Inning. �This time it was 6 runs, as the Indians sent 10 batters to the plate. �Erik Kratz's big blast over the right field wall brought in Tagg Bozied, who had singled, and Neil Walker, who had walked. �Hector Gimenez followed the homer with a double, and he scored on Pedro Lopez's single. �CF Jose Tabata, the only member of the line-up who did not have a hit, reached second base on an error when he hit a fly to right field, and that moved Lopez to 3rd base. �Lopez scored on Brian Myrow's sacrifice fly, and Tabata scored on Jeff Clement's line drive into right field. �Indians 14, Clippers 2.

The Clippers scrabbled out two more runs in the bottom of the 6th. �Jason Davis took the mound after Brad Lincoln had finished (78 pitches, 48 strikes). �Davis just didn't seem to have it, though, as he loaded the bases without recording an out �-- a 4-pitch walk to DH Damaso Espino, a single by Matt LaPorta, and a walk to 3B Wes Hodges. �Davis was relieved by Juan Mateo. �Mateo walkdd the first batter he faced, Lou Marson, forcing in a run. �Then he got Stephen Head to ground into a 4-6-3 (Lopez to Barnwell to Clement) double play. �

LaPorta scored on the play, but Mateo and the Tribe had plenty of runs to spare and were happy to give up one to get the two outs. � Mateo ended the inning with a fly out by Jesus Merchan. �Mateo pitched a scoreless 7th inning, and allowed only one hit in the 8th -- LaPorta's second homer of the game. �Corey Hamman, just returned to the Indians from AA Altoona, pitched the 9th. �He gave up two singles but didn't allow a run.

The Indians faced an old friend, former Indian (2007) Michael Tejera, who kept the Indians scoreless over the last 3 innings of the game. �Tejera gave up singles to Chris Barnwell and Jeff Clement in the 7th, and another to Pedro Lopez in the 9th. �Barnwell also reached base in the 9th on the Clippers' 4th error (fielding) of the game.�

Indians' Hitting Gem of the Game: �Two 3-run homers, by Jeff Clement (photo above) and Erik Kratz. �Both hitters homered on the first pitch they saw in the at-bat. �It was Clement's 7th homer in his 2 weeks with the Indians, and Kratz's 7th of the season.

A few more photos, by our special photography assistant, from Wednesday's game at Victory Field:

Brian Bixler in center field .............................Jeff Clement and Erik Kratz

Larry Broadway in the coaching box as Pedro Lopez runs to first base...... Denny Bautista and Jean Machi stand guard as Juan Mateo warms up in the bullpen

Brian Bixler at the plate ..................Argenis Diaz steps up, with Bixler on deck

Brian Bixler rounds first .................... Robinzon Diaz also singles

NOTES:

Roster moves: �

Phil Dumatrait has finished his rehab work, and will be heading back to the Pirates. �That opens up a spot in the starting rotation for Ty Taubenheim. �

Brian Bixler was originally in the lineup for tonight's game, but was a late scratch -- no reason announced.

The Pirates have signed their # 12 draft pick, RHP Jeffrey Inman from Stanford University. �Inman was mostly a starter for Stanford. �

The Pirates now have top picks #1 through #13 signed, plus their Comp Round pick - a total of 23 out of 51. �

Go Tribe!

[Photos by Nancy Zinni (MVN) and Paul P]

Indians' 3B Neil Walker (photo) and 1B Jeff Clement each collected 3 hits, and the Indians out-hit the Clippers 12 - 10, but it wasn't enough to overcome a 5-run inning by the Clippers at Huntington Park in Columbus, Ohio. �Last week's International League Pitcher of the Week, Eric Hacker, could not keep up with last week's pace, and he suffered his 5th loss of the season.

The Indians jumped out to an early lead, scoring 3 runs in the top of the 1st inning after two outs had been recorded. �LF Brian Myrow singled off the top half of the right field wall, and Jeff Clement followed with another single into right field. �RF Tagg Bozied grounded to third base, which should have been the third out. �But the ball bounced off Clippers' 3B Wes Hodges' glove and into foul territory, and everyone was safe. �With the bases loaded, Neil Walker grounded sharply up the middle. �Columbus SS Jason Donald made the dive, and he stopped the ball from going into the outfield, but Donald had no play, and Myrow scored the game's first run. �DH Hector Gimenez also singled up the middle, and this time the ball tapped off Jason Donald's glove and did get into the outfield. �Clement and Bozied both scored, and the Indians had the lead on three unearned runs. �

The Clippers got one run back in the bottom of the 1st inning. �Eric Hacker (photo) has typically struggled through the first inning in his starts, and giving up one run in the 1st is not all that bad for him. �He gave up the run on a single by Jason Donald, followed by a double by LF Matt LaPorta. �Hacker gave up another double, to 1B Niuman Romero, in the 2nd inning, as well as a walk to 2B Jesus Merchan, but kept the Clippers from scoring. �Columbus' third triple, in the 3rd inning, sparked another run. �Jason Donald led off with the two-bagger, moved to third base on DH Tony Graffanino's ground out, and scored on Wes Hodges' sacrifice fly. �Still, the Indians held on to a 3-2 lead. �

Hacker allowed only a walk in the 4th inning. �Then came the 5th, when the wheels fell off for Hacker. �Jason Donald and Tony Graffanino opened the inning with two singles. �After a fly out, Wes Hodges also singled, scoring Donald. �Hodges�stole second base, and when Tribe C ��Robinzon Diaz's throw to second base went wild, Hodges advanced to third base, and Donald scored the tying run. �

Back-to-back doubles by C Lou Marson and RF Stephen Head plated Hodges and Marson, and that was the end for Hacker. �He had lasted 4.1 innings and thrown 95 pitches (55 strikes). �Hacker was responsible for the 6 runs that had already scored in the 5th, plus Head, who came around to score after reliever Jeremy Powell took over, along with the two earlier runs -- 7 runs on 9 hits and 3 walks, with 4 strikeouts. �Powell was able to get Jesus Merchan to fly out, but the he walked Niuman Romero and gave up a single to CF Michael Brantley, before striking out Jason Donald, the 10th batter in the inning. �Columbus had taken the lead, 7-3. �

[Photo: �Robinzon Diaz at the plate]

Jeremy Powell and Denny Bautista shut down the Clippers' offense after the 5th inning. �Powell retired the side in order in the 6th. �Bautista hit Jesus Merchan with a pitch in the 7th. and retired the remaining 6 batters he faced. �But, it was too late. �

The Tribe tried to battle back, and did come close to catching up. �They scored one run in each of the last 3 innings. �In the top of the 7th, they rallied again with 2 outs. �Robinzon Diaz lined a single into center field, marking the end of Columbus starter's Hector Rondon's evening. �Reliever Rich Rundles came in from the bullpen, and Brian Myrow (photo) greeted him with a single into right field. �Jeff Clement followed with a double lined into right field, scoring Diaz, and the Indians had crept a little closer to the Clippers. �

Neil Walker greeted the next Columbus reliever, Zach Jackson, with a booming line drive over the left field wall near the foul pole in the 8th inning. �His 12th homer of the season pushed the Indians one run closer -- Clippers 7, Indians 5.

Greg Aquino took the mound for Columbus in the top of the 9th, when the Indians make one last rally. �Back to the top of the batting order, 2B Brian Bixler lined a single into left field. �Robinzon Diaz bounced into a force play, with Bixler out at second, and leaving Diaz at first base. �A passed ball moved Diaz on to second base, and the Indians had hope, with a runner in scoring position. �After a strikeout by Brian Myrow, Jeff Clement slipped his third hit of the game into center field, and Diaz scored, bringing the Tribe within one run. �But another strikeout to Tagg Bozied ended the game, and gave the Indians the loss.

This loss was the 8th time this season that the Indians loss the game that would have moved them up to .500. �Maybe we need to stop worrying about this statistic.

Indians' Hitting Gem of the Game: Neil Walker's big blast, for his 12th homer of the season and his 54th RBI. �Of those RBI, 14 have come in August. �

Indians' Defensive Gem of the Game: ï¿ ½A long fly ball to right center field, with CF Chris Barnwell and RF Tagg Bozied both chasing it... and both getting there at the same time. �Bozied has a higher reach, so the ball landed in his mitt, and they both tumbled. �Both got up quickly, no one hurt. �

More photos from Wednesday at Victory Field, from our special assistant photographer:

Jeff Clement..................................Neil Walker and Argenis Diaz

Virgil Vasquez and Neil Walker ................ �Brian Myrow in left field

Robinzon Diaz at first base ............................ �Neil Walker at third

Larry Broadway coaching at first �...............Pedro Lopez at the plate

NOTES:

Corey Hamman�has been promoted from Altoona to Indianapolis. �Hamman (photo) made 16 relief appearances with the Indians earlier in April and May, but gave up 20 runs on 27 hits and 6 walks in 16.2 innings. �He has made 29 appearances, all in relief, for the Curve, and did much better -- �12 earned runs on 28 hits and 8 walks over 29.1 innings. �He did particularly well in July, allowing only one earned run over 13.1 innings (0.68 ERA), and opponents hit .204 off him. �

Brian Bixler's two hits extended his hitting streak to 15 games.

Go Tribe!

[Photos by Nancy Zinni (MVN) and Paul P]

Indians' 3B Neil Walker (photo) and 1B Jeff Clement each collected 3 hits, and the Indians out-hit the Clippers 12 - 10, but it wasn't enough to overcome a 5-run inning by the Clippers at Huntington Park in Columbus, Ohio. �Last week's International League Pitcher of the Week, Eric Hacker, could not keep up with last week's pace, and he suffered his 5th loss of the season.

The Indians jumped out to an early lead, scoring 3 runs in the top of the 1st inning after two outs had been recorded. �LF Brian Myrow singled off the top half of the right field wall, and Jeff Clement followed with another single into right field. �RF Tagg Bozied grounded to third base, which should have been the third out. �But the ball bounced off Clippers' 3B Wes Hodges' glove and into foul territory, and everyone was safe. �With the bases loaded, Neil Walker grounded sharply up the middle. �Columbus SS Jason Donald made the dive, and he stopped the ball from going into the outfield, but Donald had no play, and Myrow scored the game's first run. �DH Hector Gimenez also singled up the middle, and this time the ball tapped off Jason Donald's glove and did get into the outfield. �Clement and Bozied both scored, and the Indians had the lead on three unearned runs. �

The Clippers got one run back in the bottom of the 1st inning. �Eric Hacker (photo) has typically struggled through the first inning in his starts, and giving up one run in the 1st is not all that bad for him. �He gave up the run on a single by Jason Donald, followed by a double by LF Matt LaPorta. �Hacker gave up another double, to 1B Niuman Romero, in the 2nd inning, as well as a walk to 2B Jesus Merchan, but kept the Clippers from scoring. �Columbus' third triple, in the 3rd inning, sparked another run. �Jason Donald led off with the two-bagger, moved to third base on DH Tony Graffanino's ground out, and scored on Wes Hodges' sacrifice fly. �Still, the Indians held on to a 3-2 lead. �

Hacker allowed only a walk in the 4th inning. �Then came the 5th, when the wheels fell off for Hacker. �Jason Donald and Tony Graffanino opened the inning with two singles. �After a fly out, Wes Hodges also singled, scoring Donald. �Hodges�stole second base, and when Tribe C ��Robinzon Diaz's throw to second base went wild, Hodges advanced to third base, and Donald scored the tying run. �

Back-to-back doubles by C Lou Marson and RF Stephen Head plated Hodges and Marson, and that was the end for Hacker. �He had lasted 4.1 innings and thrown 95 pitches (55 strikes). �Hacker was responsible for the 6 runs that had already scored in the 5th, plus Head, who came around to score after reliever Jeremy Powell took over, along with the two earlier runs -- 7 runs on 9 hits and 3 walks, with 4 strikeouts. �Powell was able to get Jesus Merchan to fly out, but the he walked Niuman Romero and gave up a single to CF Michael Brantley, before striking out Jason Donald, the 10th batter in the inning. �Columbus had taken the lead, 7-3. �

[Photo: �Robinzon Diaz at the plate]

Jeremy Powell and Denny Bautista shut down the Clippers' offense after the 5th inning. �Powell retired the side in order in the 6th. �Bautista hit Jesus Merchan with a pitch in the 7th. and retired the remaining 6 batters he faced. �But, it was too late. �

The Tribe tried to battle back, and did come close to catching up. �They scored one run in each of the last 3 innings. �In the top of the 7th, they rallied again with 2 outs. �Robinzon Diaz lined a single into center field, marking the end of Columbus starter's Hector Rondon's evening. �Reliever Rich Rundles came in from the bullpen, and Brian Myrow (photo) greeted him with a single into right field. �Jeff Clement followed with a double lined into right field, scoring Diaz, and the Indians had crept a little closer to the Clippers. �

Neil Walker greeted the next Columbus reliever, Zach Jackson, with a booming line drive over the left field wall near the foul pole in the 8th inning. �His 12th homer of the season pushed the Indians one run closer -- Clippers 7, Indians 5.

Greg Aquino took the mound for Columbus in the top of the 9th, when the Indians make one last rally. �Back to the top of the batting order, 2B Brian Bixler lined a single into left field. �Robinzon Diaz bounced into a force play, with Bixler out at second, and leaving Diaz at first base. �A passed ball moved Diaz on to second base, and the Indians had hope, with a runner in scoring position. �After a strikeout by Brian Myrow, Jeff Clement slipped his third hit of the game into center field, and Diaz scored, bringing the Tribe within one run. �But another strikeout to Tagg Bozied ended the game, and gave the Indians the loss.

This loss was the 8th time this season that the Indians loss the game that would have moved them up to .500. �Maybe we need to stop worrying about this statistic.

Indians' Hitting Gem of the Game: Neil Walker's big blast, for his 12th homer of the season and his 54th RBI. �Of those RB I, 14 have come in August. �

Indians' Defensive Gem of the Game: �A long fly ball to right center field, with CF Chris Barnwell and RF Tagg Bozied both chasing it... and both getting there at the same time. �Bozied has a higher reach, so the ball landed in his mitt, and they both tumbled. �Both got up quickly, no one hurt. �

More photos from Wednesday at Victory Field, from our special assistant photographer:

Jeff Clement..................................Neil Walker and Argenis Diaz

Virgil Vasquez and Neil Walker ................ �Brian Myrow in left field

Robinzon Diaz at first base ............................ �Neil Walker at third

Larry Broadway coaching at first �...............Pedro Lopez at the plate

NOTES:

Corey Hamman�has been promoted from Altoona to Indianapolis. �Hamman (photo) made 16 relief appearances with the Indians earlier in April and May, but gave up 20 runs on 27 hits and 6 walks in 16.2 innings. �He has made 29 appearances, all in relief, for the Curve, and did much better -- �12 earned runs on 28 hits and 8 walks over 29.1 innings. �He did particularly well in July, allowing only one earned run over 13.1 innings (0.68 ERA), and opponents hit .204 off him. �

Brian Bixler's two hits extended his hitting streak to 15 games.

Go Tribe!

[Photos by Nancy Zinni (MVN) and Paul P]

That gives them a total of 22 of their 51 picks signed, including all of the top 11 picks (# 1 through #10, plus Comp round).

Lefty reliever Corey Hamman has been promoted from Altoona to Indianapolis, and righty reliever Ramon Aguero is moving up from Lynchburg to Altoona.�

The Pirates held a hit-fest this afternoon, and they didn't invite the Braves to join in until the very end. �The Pirates put up 16 hits, led by DH Andrew Walker, who went 4-for-4,�with 4 RBI, and 1B/LF Gerlis Rodriguez, who had 3 hits. �Both Walker and LF Rogelios Noris homered for Bradenton. �

The Pirates started the scoring in the 3rd inning. �Walks to 3B�Henry Henry and SS Benjamin Gonzalez were followed by Rodriguez's first single, which brought in both base runners, and C Ramon Cabrera's double, which scored Rodriguez. �Noris's solo homer led off the 4th inning. �The Pirates scored 2 more runs in that inning on Walker's second single, a double by RF�Wesley Freeman, and a 2-RBI single by CF�Edwin Roman. �

Walker's homer came in the 5th inning. �After singles by Rodriguez, Cabrera, and Noris, Walker blasted a grand slam over the left field wall, and the Pirates had 10 runs. �They tacked on 3 more runs in the 8th inning. �Henry walked again, Roman doubled, and 2B�Elevys Gonzalez tripled, bringing in both Henry and Roman. �Rodriguez doubled, plating Elevys �Gonzalez.�

Trent Stevenson made his second start for the Pirates, and pitched 2 scoreless innings, allowing one hit. �Rinku Singh pitched the 3rd inning, and gave up one unearned run. �With two outs, he gave up a single, and after a stolen base, a throwing error put the runners on the corners. �When the runner from first tried to steal second base, the lead runner scored on the throw. �

Dinesh Patel took over for Singh and pitched 2 innings. �Patel retired the side in the 4th, and gave up one run in the 5th, on a single, another fielding error, and an RBI single, and he was credited with his first professional win. �Sandobal Septimo�earned his first save with 4 innings of work. �He got out of a bases-loaded jam in the 7th, and a jam with runners on second and third in the 8th, but he could not stay out of trouble in the 9th. �Two singles, then a strikeout, then an RBI single and a 2-RBI double scored the first 3 runs. �After a ground out, three consecutive singles brought in 2 more runs before Septimo got the final strikeout to end the game. ��

2B Ray Chang and 3B Pedro Alvarez had 3 hits each for the Curve last night, and accounted for nearly half of the team's 13 hits. �Chang scored the winning run in the bottom of the 10th, after he hit his second single, stole second base, went to third on LF Jeff Corsaletti's ground out, and then scored on SS Brian Friday's walk-off RBI single. �

The game began with starter Tim Alderson being rocked for 5 runs on 7 hits in just 3 innings of work. �Two singles, an RBI ground out, a walk, and a 3-run homer gave the Sea Dogs 3 runs in the top of the 1st inning. �They added another run in the 2nd, on a single, a stolen base, and an RBI single. �

The Curve bounced back with one run in the 1st inning, when CF Gorkys Hernandez singled, and Pedro Alvarez brought him in with an RBI double. �In the 3rd inning, the Curve added 4 more runs to tie the score at 5-5. �Walks to Hernandez and Alvarez opened the inning. �After two strikeouts, DH Jonel Pacheco singled to load the bases, and Ray Chang crushed his first career grand slam.

Jared Hughes relieved Tim Alderson, and after retiring the side in the 4th, Hughes gave up the go-ahead run in the 5th on two singles and a wild pitch. �The Sea Dogs added another run in the 7th, on a walk, a single, and a wild pitch, to take a 7-5 lead. �The Curve tied it up again with 2 runs of their own in the bottom of the 8th. �Alvarez doubled, and scored on RF Miles Durham's RBI single. �Durham reached third base on a fielding error, and scored on a wild pitch. �

The Sea Dogs took the lead again in the top of the 9th, with Jeff Sues on the mound, on a walk, a stolen base, a wild pitch, and a sacrifice fly. �And once again, the Curve tied it up in the bottom of the inning. �C Miguel Perez singled and Jeff Corsaletti walked. �Brian Friday dropped down a sacrifice bunt, but a fielding error by the Sea Dogs' pitcher allowed Perez to score. �With the score tied at 8-8, the game went into the 10th inning. �Scott Nestor struck out the first batter in the top of the 10th, then hit a batter, then struck out batter #3, hit batter #4, and struck out batter #5 -- but the Sea Dogs did not score. �He was the pitcher of record and was credited with the win, when Friday's walk-off hit scored Chang in the bottom of the frame. �

Kinston scored early, and the Hillcats scored late, but the 'Cats couldn't catch up, despite out-hitting Kinston 12-9. �C Eric Fryer had 3 of the Hillcats' hits, including a home run, and DH Kris Watts and CF Jose De Los Santos had 2 hits each. �

Starter Ronald Uviedo lasted only one inning (he may have reached the 30-pitch limit) and gave up Kinstons first 4 runs on 4 hits. �A walk and two singles brought in one run, then a home run �brought in 3 more. �Moises Robles took over for Uviedo, and he faced the minimum for two scoreless innings. �Nate Adcock came in from the bullpen next, and he walked 3 batters and�gave up a 2-run homer in the 4th. �Chris Cullen pitched 2 innings. �After a scoreless 5th, he gave up two walks, and an RBI single. �Then a triple combined with a throwing error brought in 3 more runs, to give Kinston a total of 10. �Harrison Bishop pitched 2 scoreless innings and Mike Colla added one more scoreless inning to finish the game for the Hillcats. �

The Hillcats offense did not come to life until the 5th inning, when Eric Fryer led off with a solo home run. � Jose De Los Santos followed the homer with a single, then 2B Chase d'Arnaud doubled, scoring De Los Santos. �After a walk to SS Jordy Mercer, d'Arnaud stole third base and scored on a wild pitch, and the Hillcats had 3 runs on the board. �They added 2 more runs in the 7th inning, on three doubles, by 3B Josh Harrison, Mercer, and Kris Watts. �

In the bottom of the 9th, the Hillcats rallied again. �Jordy Mercer walked and RF�Jamie Romak was hit by a pitch. �Kris Watts' single scored Mercer. �LF Alex Presley walked to load the bases with 2 outs. �Eric Fryer brought in Romak with another RBI single, and Watts scored on a wild pitch, bringing the Hillcats within one run. �But the rally ended when Jose De Los Santos struck out to end the game.

C Tony Sanchez had 3 hit, including two in the big 6th inning, as West Virginia overpowered the Legends. � The Power sent 10 batters to the plate in the 6th, to score 8 runs on 5 hits. �Sanchez led off with a single, and LF Quincy Latimore reached base on a fielding error. �RBI singles by 3B Jeremy Farrell and DH Bobby Spain scored Sanchez and Latimore (2 runs). �After a pitching change, RF Austin McClune�singled, plating Farrell (3). �SS Greg Picart walked, loading the bases with two outs. �A fielding error at second base let CF Robbie Grossman reach safely and brought in Spain and McClune (4, 5). �Then Sanchez capped it off with a 3 run homer (6, 7, 8). �

The Power had scored 2 runs in the top of the 1st, when Grossman singled, Sanchez doubled, and Latimore singled. �2B Danny Bomback added another run in the 2nd inning with a solo home run. �1B Kyle Morgan, the only member of the line-up who hadn't yet gotten a hit or scored a run, did both in the 9th inning, with a solo home run. �

Brett Lorin pitched 2 innings in his third start for the Power. �He breezed through the first inning, but gave up 2 runs in the 2nd on a walk, his own throwing error on a pick-off attempt, a single, a missed-catch error by Greg Picart, and an RBI single. �(Lorin may have also reached the 30-pitch limit.) �Noah Krol pitched 3 scoreless innings, including 4 strikeouts. �Ryan Kelly took the mound in the 6th, and gave up 4 runs on 3 doubles, 2 walks, and a sacrifice fly. Casey Erickson pitched the last 2 innings, allowing only a walk, a single, and a hit batter. �

The Tigers scored in every inning but the 1st, to overwhelm the Spikes in Game 1. �The Spikes' only run came in the 2nd inning, when RF David Rubinstein led off with a solo home run. �That temporarily tied the score at 1-1, but the Tigers continued to score, and the Spikes could not muster much of a rally. �They had 2 base runners in the 4th inning, when Rubinstein walked and 3B Pat Irvine singled, but a strikeout ended the inning.��In the 7th inning, the Spikes again had 2 runners on base, on�Pat Irvine's�double, and DH Justin Byler being�by a pitch. �But a double play and a ground out ended the inning, and the game, without a run scoring. �

The Spikes' pitching staff had a tough game. �Starter Nelson Pereira gave up 3 runs on 3 hits and 4 walks in the first 3 innings. �Brandon Holden pitched one inning, but also gave up 3 runs on 4 hits, including a homer. �Nathan Baker went 2 innings, but continued the 3-run trend, on 3 hits. �Owen Brolsma pitched the 7th inning, and gave up only one run, on another solo homer. �

The Spikes turned the tables on the Tigers in Game 2, and this time it was their turn to score 10 runs. �The scoring began with a 6-run 1st inning, with 10 batters coming to the plate. �SS Brock Holt and CF Evan Chambers started with singles, and DH Aaron Baker walked to load the bases with on outs. �A wild pitch scored Holt, and RF David Rubinstein's sacrifice fly scored Chambers, but an error on the sac fly put Rubinstein on base too. �3B Pat Irvine's RBI single scored Baker, and C Craig Parry's RBI single scored Rubinstein. �LF Kyle Saukko brought both Parry and Irvine in with an RBI double. �

Irvine picked up two more RBI in the next inning, with a single that brought in Aaron Baker and David Rubinstein. �In the 4th, Craig Parry reached base on a wild pitch for strike three, and he scored when 2B Andy Vasquez tripled. �Four straight walks (from two pitchers), to Baker, Byler, Rubinstein, and Irvine added another run for the Spikes in the 5th inning. �

Jason Erickson pitched 4 innings for the Spikes and allowed one run on 4 hits, no walks, and 4 strikeouts. �The run came in the 3rd, on two singles and a double. �Ricardo Paulino earned the win with his 3 innings of work, allowing one run in the top of the 7th on a walk, a wild pitch, and an RBI single. �