Indians

Final Score Game 3:  Indians 3, Tigers 7

Sunday, April 9, 2006, 8:30 a.m., Minor Field

The visiting Alameda AAA Indians, playing shorthanded for the second time in as many games, were defeated by the AAA Tigers.

The Indians got off to a good start in the first inning, but were only able to bring in one run.  Trevor Greenley, batting first, struck out and was followed at the plate by Jackson Tracy, who was walked.  Micah Rothenbuhler went down swinging, bringing up Michael Copple.  Tracy stole second on a wild pitch before scoring on a double by Copple.  Evan Park closed out the Indians at bat when he struck out, leaving Copple stranded.

The Indians defense held well in the bottom of the first, supporting Isaac Maximov on the mound.  The Tigers lead off batter struck out on a called third strike.  Fong, next up for the opposition, singled, but was not advanced when Hausner struck out.  The clean-up batter, Robinson, grounded to second and was thrown out at first to end the inning with the Indians up by one.

The second inning went by quickly for both teams on the strength of good pitching and fielding.  The Tiger's Johnson struck out the first two Indians batters, Maximov and Casey Thiering, and walked Liam Bergstrom.  Greenley hit a ground ball back to the pitcher and was thrown out at first, and the Indians stranded one and weren't able to extend their lead.

Maximov continued on the mound for the Indians in the bottom of the second, striking out the Tiger's first batter.  Opperud got on base for the Tigers with a double, but was stranded when Klenovits grounded to Maximov and was thrown out at first, and then Johnson struck out to end the inning.  The score remained Indians one, Tigers zero.

The Indians had little more success in the third inning, scoring no runs and leaving two on base.  Jackson Tracy led off with a grounder to third but was thrown out at first.  Rothenbuhler got on base with a single to shallow left field and was advanced to third when Copple hit a double.  Park connected for a grounder but was thrown out at first, and Maximov struck out swinging to retire the side.

McGrath led off for the Tiger's against Maximov pitching for the Indians.  McGrath was able to connect for a single, but was held at first when Kayaian popped up to Greenley for the Tiger's first out.  McGrath was then thrown out trying to steal second before Gardner singled.  With Gilbert at bat, Gardner stole second, but a subsequent steal attempt found him thrown out at home and the Indians protected their lead.  At the end of three it was Indians one, Tigers none.

In the fourth inning the Indians generated a little more offensive pressure.  The Tiger's pitcher, Hausner, walked Thiering to start the inning.  Bergstrom was called out on strikes before Hausner walked Greenley to put two men on for the Indians.  Tracy was called out on strikes, but Rothenbuhler singled to put Thiering into scoring position and load the bases.  Copple grounded to short, however, and the Tigers made the force play at third to hold the Indians scoreless.

Greenley took the mound for the Indians in the bottom of the fourth.  The Tiger's lead off batter, Gilbert, was good for a double.  Fong followed him with a single and Gilbert advanced to third.  A wild pitch to Hausner allowed Gilbert to steal home, tying the game at one all.  Hausner gained a base on balls, and was thrown out in a well played rundown trying to steal, but Fong stole home from third to give the Tigers the lead.  Robinson walked, then stole second base and eventually third and the Tiger's Taylor was walked as well.  Taylor stole second during Opperud's at bat, but was held on base with Robinson when Opperud flied out to Greenley.  The next batter, Klenovits, walked to load the bases and the Tigers added to their score when Johnson's walk brought Robinson home. Greenley struck out McGrath to end the inning with the Tigers taking the lead three runs to one.

Hausner continued pitching for the Tigers in the fifth, and the Indians were held scoreless.  Park went down swinging to start the inning and Maximov took first on balls.  Maximov stole second and then advanced to third when Thiering grounded out to first.  Bergstrom went down swinging; leaving Maximov stranded and the side was retired without scoring.

The Indians troubles continued in the bottom of the fifth.  Greenley pitched for the Indians and Kayaian led off with a single.  Gardner walked, but not before Kayaian advanced to third on a pair of steals.  With Gilbert at bat Gardner stole second, and Kayaian scored when Gilbert grounded out to first.  Gardner then stole third and scored when Fong singled.  Hausner came to the plate, and Fong stole second, then on a missed throw stole third and home.  Hausner walked and the Tigers were up six to one with one man on.  The Indians elected to make a pitching change and Tracy came in to relieve Greenley.  Hausner stole home on a wild pitch to Robinson, who then struck out for two away.  Taylor walked and then stole second, but was stranded when Opperud flied out to Tracy .  The inning was over with the Tigers up seven to one.

The Tigers brought a fresh arm in Gilbert to pitch the sixth.  Greenley led off for the Indians and gained a base on balls.  Tracy struck out but Greenley stole second and advanced to third when Rothenbuhler singled.  Copple came to the plate for the Indians and Rothenbuhler stole second and then third when Greenley stole home on a wild pitch.  Copple walked to make it a runner on first and third.  Park was thrown out at first for the Indians second out but scored Rothenbuhler from third.  Copple stole third to gain scoring position but Maximov went down swinging and the Indians rally fell short.

Three games into the season the Indians record stands at one win and two losses.  A couple rough innings put this one where a late rally couldn't save it, but the Indians made a good effort throughout and never gave up.

Game recap written by J. Michael Bergstrom.  All rights reserved.