Indians’ pitching shuts down Clippers

Five Indianapolis pitchers, including starter Garrett Olson as well as relievers Sean Gallagher, Cesar Valdez, Tony Watson and Tim Wood combined to hold the International League’s top offense to just two runs on five hits, while right fielder Andrew Lambo blasted a solo home run and drove in two to lead the Indians past the Columbus Clippers 4-2 Saturday at Victory Field.

The five Tribe hurlers shut down the Clippers’ offense, who came into tonight’s contest at or near the top in of the International League in nearly all offensive categories, scattering five hits and allowing only two runs. Olson (2.0 IP, 1 BB, 2 SO) did not allow a hit and allowed just one walk in his two innings of work, while Gallagher (4.0 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 5 SO) earned his first victory of the year to improve to 1-5 after surrendering just three hits while striking out five in four innings of relief.

Valdez (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 SO) and Wood (0.1 IP) later combined for 1.1 no-hit innings of relief, with Valdez allowing a lone walk. Valdez earned his second hold the year, while Wood notched his seventh save of the year. Watson (1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO) struck out two of the first three batters he faced, but went on to surrender the only two Columbus tallies.

The Tribe picked up their first run of the contest in the opening frame when SS Chase d’Arnaud doubled and moved to third on SS Pedro Ciriaco’s single before coming home on a double play groundout to give the Indians the early 1-0 advantage. Indianapolis then doubled their lead to two in the third inning thanks to Lambo’s solo home run to right field, which was the left handed slugger’s third of the year.

The final two Indians runs came in the seventh inning thanks to three straight two-out hits from C Jason Jaramillo, DH Andy Marte and Lambo. Jaramillo began the two-out rally with a single, immediately followed by an RBI double to left center by Marte, before Lambo singled to drive home Marte and increase the margin to 4-0.

Ciriaco led all batters with three hits, while Lambo posted the only other multi-hit effort of the contest with his two base knocks. Eight of the Indians’ nine batters in the lineup tallied a hit, with OF Alex Presley, the only one excluded. Despite not picking a hit, Presley continues to lead the International League in hits with 48.

RHP Mitch Talbot (5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 SO), who was with the Clippers on a Major League Rehab Assignment, suffered the loss after surrendering two earned runs on six hits in his five frames. LHP Scott Barnes (3.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO) pitched the final three innings, giving up two earned runs on five hits while fanning three.

The Indians continue their four-game series against Columbus on Sunday at 2:05 p.m. LHP Rudy Owens is expected to get the ball for the Tribe, while the Clippers are scheduled to send out RHP Zach McAllister.