Midwest League Baseball update

OWENS OUTDUELS CUETO, TRIBE TAKES DOWN BATS 7-1
Tribe Left Hander Tosses Five No-Hit Innings To Earn Second Win

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Tribe starting pitcher Rudy Owens tossed five no-hit innings on his way to earning his second victory of the year, while also outdueling Cincinnati Reds starter Johnny Cueto, who was on a Major League rehabilitation assignment, as the Indianapolis Indians defeated the Louisville Bats 7-1 on Saturday afternoon at Louisville Slugger Field.

With the victory the Indians end their four game losing streak and give the Bats their first loss since Opening day ending their eight game winning streak. The win also improves Indianapolis' record to 2-8 on the season, while the loss drops Louisville to 8-2.

Owens (6.1 IP 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO) dominated over the first five innings of the game, holding the Bats hitless, while striking out three. The Tribe southpaw surrendered just a single run in the seventh and now has both of the Indians wins so far this season, after also allowing just one score in his first win on April 11 against Toledo.

After being shut out by the Bats the night before, the Indians offense would finally break out with multiple runs in the fourth and eighth innings on their way to the 7-1 victory. RF Andrew Lambo and 3B Josh Harrison led the way offensively for the Tribe as duo combined to go 3-for-8 with four runs and an RBI, while INF Andy Marte would come through with the clutch hit of the afternoon for the Indians.

For the first time this season the Indians got on the board first led by Lambo who lined a one out double to center, moved to third on a Bats' throwing error and came plateward along with Harrison on a clutch two-run single by 2B Brian Friday. Harrison also stole his second base of the game in the fourth to give him four on the season, trailing only CF Gorkys Hernandez, who also swiped two bags in the contest to take over the team lead with five.

Louisville would cut the Tribe lead to one with a single tally in the bottom of the seventh as C Devin Mesoraco led off the frame with a line drive double to center and came home on a single off the bat of 2B Chris Valaika. However, the Indians would put the game away with four runs on three hits and two walks in the top of the eighth inning.

Lambo once again sparked the scoring rally as he drove a one-out single to center and came quickly around to score when Harrison followed with a triple to right. Then following walks to C Wyatt Toregas and Friday, Marte came through with a clutch pinch hit three-run double to blow the game wide open.

With his triple, Harrison has now collected a hit in five straight games during which time he his hitting .389 (7-for-18) with five runs, three RBI and four stolen bases. Marte also continues to blast the Bats at Louisville Slugger Field, where in his career he has now posted a .345 (20-for-58) average with 12 runs, five doubles and 19 RBI in 15 career games.

The Tribe would tack on one more run in the top of the ninth as LF Alex Presley reached on an infield single and eventually came around to score on a base hit by 1B Matt Hague. With his base hit, Presley (2-for-5, 1 R) posted his team best sixth multi-hit game of the year, while Lambo (2-for-5, 2 R) joined Presley with multiple base knocks on the afternoon.

Cueto (3.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO) suffered the loss despite allowing just one earned run on two hits over 3.1 innings of work. Bats reliever Jeremy Horst (3.2 IP, 2 H, 6 SO) was dominant in relief of Cueto as the left hander struck out six over 3.2 innings of scoreless relief.

The Indians bullpen continued their excellent work as of late as LHP Tony Watson (0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 SO) worked the Indians out of the seventh inning jam to earn his first hold of the season, before RHP Tim Wood (2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 SO) held the Bats scoreless and struck out three over the final two frames of the contest.

Indianapolis continues their first road trip of the season in Louisville on Sunday, April 17 at 2:05 p.m. LHP Brian Burres is expected to get the start for the Tribe, while RHP Homer Bailey is the probable starter for the Bats.

WHITECAPS ROAD SHOW POSTPONED AGAIN

SOUTH BEND, IN – It seems as if Mother Nature simply does not want the West Michigan Whitecaps to leave Fifth Third Ballpark.

For the second consecutive day, the Whitecaps and South Bend Silver Hawks were rained out at Stanley Coveleski Regional Stadium on Saturday. Coupled with last weekend’s three-game series in Lansing that was wiped out due to unplayable field conditions, the Whitecaps’ first five scheduled road games of the season have now been either postponed or cancelled.

The Whitecaps and Silver Hawks are scheduled to make up one of the postponements with a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. The twin bill will feature two seven-inning games, with the probable pitching match-ups consisting of LHP Kyle Ryan against RHP Bradin Hagens in the opener and RHP Kevin Eichhorn against RHP J.R. Bradley in the nightcap.

A second doubleheader will likely be scheduled when South Bend comes to West Michigan for a three-game series from May 10-12.


Saturday’s Doubleheader Postponed Due to Rain

South Bend, IN – The South Bend Silver Hawks have announced that Saturday’s doubleheader against the West Michigan Whitecaps has been postponed due to rain.

Fans holding a ticket for Friday’s or Saturday’s rainout can redeem the ticket at the Coveleski Stadium box office for any remaining Silver Hawks home game of the 2011 season.

One game will be made up as part of a doubleheader tomorrow, Sunday, April 17th, with game one beginning at 1:00 PM Eastern Time. Please note that this is one hour earlier than Sunday’s originally scheduled start time. Gates will open at 12:00 PM.

Since West Michigan does not return to South Bend in the first half, the second game will be made up when the Silver Hawks visit the Whitecaps in Comstock Park, Michigan in mid-May. More information will be made available once a decision is made as to when the game will be played