The Indianapolis Indians scored nine run in the late innings of Saturday night’s game against the Louisville Bats as they crushed the Bats 10-3 in the opener of a six game split series. The Indians, who have won twelve of their last fourteen, improved to 20 games over the .500 mark at 51-31 while the Bats dropped to 31-53 and lost their fourth straight.
The big blow of the game came in the sixth inning. With the game tied at one, Matt Hague hit a three-run homer off Bats starter Chad Reineke to put his team ahead 4-1.
The Indians extended their lead in the eighth on an RBI single from Starling Marte to make it 5-1. two-run triple from Jeff Clement to make it 7-1. Clement scored on Jordy Mercer’s sacrifice fly to make it 8-1.
The Bats scratched across a pair of runs in the eighth on a two run homer from Mike Costanzo. Costanzo and Dioner Navarro each finished the game with three hits.
The Indians capped their scoring in the ninth with a pair of runs off of Donnie Joseph. The runs were the first Joseph has given up in his Triple-A career.
After setting a season-high with three errors Friday night, the Bats outdid themselves Saturday by committing four errors.
In his first game back from the disabled list, Bats outfielder Denis Phipps went 1-for-4 with a run scored.
The teams continue their six game series Sunday. The Bats are scheduled to send Tim Gustafson (3-1, 4.32 ERA) to the mound against Indy’s Rudy Owens (6-3, 2.51 ERA). First pitch for Sunday’s game is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.