Indianapolis and Columbus open a five-game series tonight at Huntington Park. The Indians have won three consecutive series and are 8-1 over their last nine games.
Location: Huntington Park
First Pitch: 6:35 PM ET
Game #34/Road #12: Indianapolis Indians (16-17) @ Columbus Clippers (16-19)
Probables: RHP Tyler Eppler (3-1, 2.36) vs. RHP Travis Banwart (0-2, 8.44)
Radio: Fox Sports 97.5 and AM 1260
TV: MiLB TV
PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS
Indianapolis Indians
Columbus Clippers
TRIBE NOTES
MAKING A STATEMENT: After being optioned from Pittsburgh on Friday, Bostick racked up seven hits in 10 at-bats over the last two games, raising his average to .355, second in the International League behind Durham’s Patrick Leonard (.381). He has hit safely in 17 of his last 18 and 18 of his last 20 games, accumulating 11 multi-hit performances during that stretch. Six games into the season, his average sat at .217 (5-for-23). Since April 12, he’s batted .393 (33-for-84), the fourth-highest mark in professional baseball.
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS: Indians batters drew a season-high nine walks in yesterday’s win, with their previous high being seven on April 15 @ Toledo. The pitching staff also struck out a season-high 14 batters in the win, eclipsing its previous high of 13 on April 21 vs. Scranton/W-B.
LIGHTS OUT: Indians reliever Pat Light struck out each of the four batters he faced yesterday, marking the fifth time in his career where he struck out at least four batters in a relief appearance. He has made 109 relief outings in his career, and the last time he fanned four in a relief appearance came on Aug. 9, 2015, with Pawtucket vs. Syracuse.
PUT ME IN, COACH: Joey Terdoslavich (.571, 4-for-7) and Elias Diaz (.375, 3-for-8) have found the most success against Columbus pitchers this season. The Indians have hit just .217 as a team against the Clippers, including back-to-back shutout losses on April 10 and 11 at the Vic.
RACKKKKKKKING UP THE STRIKEOUTS: Yesterday’s starter, Clay Holmes, struck out seven batters in a no-decision. He has struck out seven-plus batters in four of his seven starts this year, and his 10.41 SO/9.0 IP (37 SO/32.0 IP) ranks fourth among qualifying starters in the IL.