Lincoln popped right up after the slide, went back to the mound and back to work. �In fact, Lincoln was not having much trouble at all with that work. �For the first time all season, a Tribe starting pitcher went 7 innings. �Lincoln gave up one single, to LF Todd Frazier, over the first three innings, and then Frazier was thrown out trying to steal second base. �He gave up the triple and double in the 4th inning, but held the Bats to just one run. �Lincoln breezed through the 5th, and allowed a lone single in each of the 6th and 7th innings. �That was a total of 5 hits, no walks, and 5 strikeouts over his 7 innings. �Lincoln was pretty efficient too, throwing 78 pitches (54 strikes). � He was pleased with his performance: �”I felt like I had command on both sides of the plate with the fast ball. �The secondary pitches were working well, which kept them off the fastball.”
Walker (photo) and Pearce combined to help the Tribe score two more insurance runs in the 7th. �Walker led off against Louisville reliever Lee Tabor with an infield single, again forcing the Bats’ shortstop to go so deep into the hole that he had no play. �Walker stole second, his 6th steal this season (in 6 attempts). �After two outs, Tabor decided to intentionally walk the 3-for-3 Pearce to get to LF Brandon Moss. Moss made him regret that idea — he doubled over Chris Burke’s head to the right field wall, plating both Walker and Pearce.
Walker and Tabata both singled again in the 8th inning, but were left on base. �Pearce singled for the fourth time in the top of the 9th, but was erased in a double play. �Pedro Alvarez went 1-for-5 with 2 strikeouts.
Reliever Wil Ledezma took over for Brad Lincoln in the 8th. �Ledezma retired three Louisville batters in order for a quick inning. �Jean Machi came on for the 9th. �He gave up a lead-off single and a walk, but struck out three batters to end the game.
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Indians’ Hitting Gems of the Game: �There were 4 doubles by Indians’ batters in the game — one each by Walker, Pearce, Moss, and Lincoln. �Lincoln’s was the most fun, just because it was by a pitcher. �Walker had 3 RBI in the game, Moss had 2, and Pearce had one.
Indians’ Defensive Gem of the Game: �In the 6th inning, Bats’ Drew Sutton grounded toward second base. �Neil Walker, who has been playing second base for just a few months, went to his right (non-glove side) to make a back-handed stop of the ball, then made the leap and turn to fire over to first base in time for the out. �It didn’t look like a play made by someone who has been playing that position for just a few months.
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NOTES:
Radio Broadcaster Scott McCauley reported during the game that former Pirate and Indians pitcher Virgil Vasquez, now with the Durham Bulls, was placed on the disabled list, due to a wrist injury sustained in a car accident.
One more roster move for the Indians today — Corey Hamman was activated off the disabled list.
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Go Tribe!
(photos by Nancy)
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