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Indianapolis Indians

Indians Walk off in Front of Record Crowd

April 13, 2012 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS -- In front of a Victory Field home opener record crowd of 14,073, the Indianapolis Indians earned a 3-2 walk-off win over the Toledo Mud Hens when designated hitter Nick Evans singled home left fielder Gorkys Hernandez with two outs in the bottom of the ninth.

The contest began with both teams exchanging single scores in the first frame. Former Tribe INF Brad Eldred began the scoring when he singled home CF Quintin Berry with one out in the top of the inning, before Evans evened the score with an RBI double that plated SS Jordy Mercer.

Following the first inning scores, both starting pitchers settled in as the two teams combined for just one walk and two singles over the next four frames. Though neither starter would figure in the final decision, both pitched well as Toledo LHP Andrew Oliver struck out nine and allowed just one run over six innings and Indians RHP Brad Lincoln surrendered just two scores over seven innings of work.

After both teams failed to push across a run for five straight innings, the Mud Hens finally broke through with a single score in the top of the seventh. The former Indians INF Eldred would strike once again as he led of the seventh with a double, moved to third on a bunt single and came plateward on a base knock by LF Jerad Head.

However, the Indians did not want to send the record-setting opening night crowd away with a loss as they battled back with runs in the bottom of the eighth and ninth innings to come away with the thrilling victory. 2B Brian Friday began the eighth inning rally with a lead-off walk and after a base hit by 1B Jeff Clement came around to score on a single by RF Brandon Boggs to tie the score at 2-2.

The Tribe would then turn a key double play following an error in the top half of the ninth that gave them momentum heading into the bottom of the inning. The walk-off rally began when Hernandez reached on a throwing error with one out and, after an intentional walk to CF Starling Marte, moved 90 feet away on an infield single by Friday.

Toledo would then induce a Mercer pop out for the second out of the ninth to set the stage for a thrilling final at-bat by Evans. The Indians designated hitter, who had just rejoined the team following the birth of his child, would come through in clutch, roping a game-winning base hit to right.

Evans base knock gave a victory to Tribe reliever Daniel McCutchen (2.0 IP, 1 BB, 3 SO), who turned in an excellent two-inning performance to improve to 1-0. The walk-off base hit would also make a loser of Toledo reliever Jose Ortega (1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO), who was the victim of a key error that led to the final frame score that gave the Indians the win.

The Indians now continue their home opening series with the Mud Hens on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. RHP Jo-Jo Reyes is expected to make his first start in an Indians' uniform, while LHP Casey Crosby is expected to toe the rubber for the Mud Hens.

The contest will be televised on HTSN, Hometown Sports and News, available via cable or over-the-air on digital channel 6.2. The game will also be carried on WNDE 1260 AM, WNDE.com and via iheartradio, a mobile application for iPhone, Blackberry and Android phones, while also being broadcast live on Comcast and Bright House Networks digital channel 81 with Howard Kellman and Will Flemming on the call. The pre-game show begins at 6:45 p.m.

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