The Durham Bulls put the Indianapolis Indians on the brink of elimination with a 6-5 win Thursday night at the DBAP. J.D. Martin cruised early before the South Champs had to survive a late scare in the ninth to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
After waiting until the eighth inning to score in the opening game, the Bulls wasted no time in Game Two. Tim Beckham led off the game with a double for the second straight night and was promptly doubled in by Cole Figueroa. Jason Bourgeois followed with a single, and Vince Belnome doubled off the wall to score Figueroa and Bourgeois.
Ten pitches into the game, Indianapolis manager Dean Treanor had seen enough. He took out starter Graham Godfrey without recording an out, giving him an ERA of infinity for the postseason.
Leslie Anderson greeted reliever Brooks Brown with a home run to right, the Bulls first postseason blast since Justin Ruggiano on September 14, 2010. It also snapped a six-game homerless drought for the Bulls, since Beckham went yard on August 28.
The Bulls appeared to be cruising to victory for the next seven innings. Martin (W, 1-0), the IL’s Most Valuable Pitcher, went 8 innings, allowing just two runs on a Jerry Sands home run in the seventh. Martin scattered 8 hits and walked none.
The Indians jumped on reliever Steve Geltz in the ninth, however, as Sands hit a three-run homer, his second blast of the game, to cut the lead to one run. Charlie Montoyo again called on Kirby Yates to nail things down, and the Hawaiian struck out three straight Indian batters to record his second save of the series.
The series now moves to Indianapolis, where the Bulls need only a single win to advance to the Governors’ Cup Championship Round. Game Three will be Friday at 7:05pm. RHP Merrill Kelly starts for the Bulls against rehabbing Major Leaguer Wandy Rodriguez.
Play-by-play
Indianapolis Top of the 1st
Chase d’Arnaud grounds out, shortstop Tim Beckham to first baseman Vince Belnome.
Robert Andino grounds out, third baseman Cole Figueroa to first baseman Vince Belnome.
Gregory Polanco grounds out, second baseman Ryan Roberts to first baseman Vince Belnome.
Durham Bottom of the 1st
Tim Beckham doubles (2) on a ground ball to left fielder Russ Canzler.
With Cole Figueroa batting, missed catch error by Robert Andino on the pickoff attempt, Tim Beckham to 3rd.
Cole Figueroa doubles (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Jerry Sands. Tim Beckham scores.
Jason Bourgeois singles on a line drive to right fielder Jerry Sands. Cole Figueroa to 3rd. Jason Bourgeois to 2nd on the throw.
Vince Belnome doubles (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Russ Canzler. Cole Figueroa scores. Jason Bourgeois scores.
Pitching Change: Brooks Brown replaces Graham Godfrey.
Leslie Anderson homers (1) on a fly ball to right field. Vince Belnome scores.
Ryan Roberts pops out to second baseman Brian Bocock.
Mike Fontenot lines out softly to shortstop Robert Andino.
Kevin Kiermaier walks.
With Craig Albernaz batting, Kevin Kiermaier steals (1) 2nd base.
Craig Albernaz grounds out to first baseman Matt Hague.
Indianapolis Top of the 2nd
Matt Hague grounds out, third baseman Cole Figueroa to first baseman Vince Belnome.
Jared Goedert strikes out swinging.
Russ Canzler doubles (1) on a line drive to right fielder Jason Bourgeois.
Jerry Sands grounds out, pitcher J. D. Martin to first baseman Vince Belnome.
Durham Bottom of the 2nd
Tim Beckham grounds out, shortstop Robert Andino to first baseman Matt Hague.
Cole Figueroa grounds out to first baseman Matt Hague.
Jason Bourgeois grounds out, second baseman Brian Bocock to first baseman Matt Hague.
Indianapolis Top of the 3rd
Carlos Paulino grounds out, second baseman Ryan Roberts to first baseman Vince Belnome.
Brian Bocock grounds out, shortstop Tim Beckham to first baseman Vince Belnome.
Chase d’Arnaud triples (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Leslie Anderson.
Robert Andino strikes out swinging.
Durham Bottom of the 3rd
Vince Belnome walks.
Leslie Anderson grounds into a double play, second baseman Brian Bocock to shortstop Robert Andino to first baseman Matt Hague. Vince Belnome out at 2nd.
Ryan Roberts grounds out, pitcher Brooks Brown to first baseman Matt Hague.
Indianapolis Top of the 4th
Gregory Polanco flies out to center fielder Kevin Kiermaier.
Matt Hague grounds out, second baseman Ryan Roberts to first baseman Vince Belnome.
Jared Goedert doubles (1) on a line drive to right fielder Jason Bourgeois.
Russ Canzler lines out to center fielder Kevin Kiermaier.
Durham Bottom of the 4th
Pitching Change: James McDonald replaces Brooks Brown.
Mike Fontenot flies out to center fielder Gregory Polanco.
Kevin Kiermaier walks.
With Craig Albernaz batting, wild pitch by James McDonald, Kevin Kiermaier to 2nd.
Craig Albernaz walks.
Tim Beckham grounds into a double play, third baseman Jared Goedert to second baseman Brian Bocock to first baseman Matt Hague. Craig Albernaz out at 2nd.
Indianapolis Top of the 5th
Jerry Sands singles on a line drive to left fielder Leslie Anderson.
Carlos Paulino flies out to center fielder Kevin Kiermaier.
Brian Bocock grounds into a double play, second baseman Ryan Roberts to shortstop Tim Beckham to first baseman Vince Belnome. Jerry Sands out at 2nd.
Durham Bottom of the 5th
Cole Figueroa grounds out, second baseman Brian Bocock to first baseman Matt Hague.
Jason Bourgeois grounds out, shortstop Robert Andino to first baseman Matt Hague.
Vince Belnome strikes out swinging.
Indianapolis Top of the 6th
Chase d’Arnaud lines out to center fielder Kevin Kiermaier.
Robert Andino singles on a ground ball to left fielder Leslie Anderson.
Gregory Polanco grounds into a force out, shortstop Tim Beckham to second baseman Ryan Roberts. Robert Andino out at 2nd. Gregory Polanco to 1st.
Matt Hague grounds into a force out, third baseman Cole Figueroa to second baseman Ryan Roberts. Gregory Polanco out at 2nd.
Durham Bottom of the 6th
Pitching Change: Atahualpa Severino replaces James McDonald.
Leslie Anderson grounds out, second baseman Brian Bocock to first baseman Matt Hague.
Ryan Roberts strikes out swinging.
Mike Fontenot strikes out swinging.
Indianapolis Top of the 7th
Jared Goedert singles on a line drive to center fielder Kevin Kiermaier.
With Russ Canzler batting, wild pitch by J. D. Martin, Jared Goedert to 2nd.
Russ Canzler grounds out, shortstop Tim Beckham to first baseman Vince Belnome.
Jerry Sands homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. Jared Goedert scores.
Carlos Paulino singles on a line drive to left fielder Leslie Anderson.
Brian Bocock called out on strikes.
Chase d’Arnaud grounds into a force out, third baseman Cole Figueroa to second baseman Ryan Roberts. Carlos Paulino out at 2nd.
Durham Bottom of the 7th
Kevin Kiermaier reaches on a missed catch error by first baseman Matt Hague, assist to third baseman Jared Goedert.
Craig Albernaz out on a sacrifice bunt to first baseman Matt Hague. Kevin Kiermaier to 2nd.
Tim Beckham strikes out on a foul tip.
Cole Figueroa singles on a ground ball to center fielder Gregory Polanco. Kevin Kiermaier scores.
Pitching Change: Ryan Reid replaces Atahualpa Severino.
Jason Bourgeois singles on a line drive to center fielder Gregory Polanco. Cole Figueroa to 2nd.
Vince Belnome strikes out swinging.
Indianapolis Top of the 8th
Robert Andino grounds out, third baseman Cole Figueroa to first baseman Vince Belnome.
Gregory Polanco grounds out to first baseman Vince Belnome.
Matt Hague grounds out, third baseman Cole Figueroa to first baseman Vince Belnome.
Durham Bottom of the 8th
Pitching Change: Erik Cordier replaces Ryan Reid.
Leslie Anderson pops out to third baseman Jared Goedert in foul territory.
Ryan Roberts flies out to right fielder Jerry Sands.
Mike Fontenot grounds out to first baseman Matt Hague.
Indianapolis Top of the 9th
Pitching Change: Steve Geltz replaces J. D. Martin.
Defensive switch from right field to left field for Jason Bourgeois.
Defensive Substitution: Evan Frey replaces left fielder Leslie Anderson, batting 5th, playing right field.
Jared Goedert doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder Jason Bourgeois.
With Russ Canzler batting, wild pitch by Steve Geltz, Jared Goedert to 3rd.
Russ Canzler walks.
Jerry Sands homers (2) on a fly ball to center field. Jared Goedert scores. Russ Canzler scores.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Ivan De Jesus replaces Carlos Paulino.
Pitching Change: Kirby Yates replaces Steve Geltz.
Ivan De Jesus walks.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Brett Carroll replaces Brian Bocock.
Brett Carroll called out on strikes.
Chase d’Arnaud strikes out swinging.
Robert Andino strikes out swinging.