"Beware of the Vanimal!"
Although the stands of Victory Field were not packed to capacity, the environment was electric for Game 2 of the Governors' Cup Semi-Finals between the Indianapolis Indians and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
Yesterday, a six-run first inning propelled Indianapolis to a 7-3 Game 1 victory, and tonight the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates attacked first with MLB.com's 33rd prospect Josh Bell singling home Willy Garcia in the first frame.
Two innings later, the Indians tacked on their second run of the game via Scranton/Wilkes-Barre starter Eric Wooten walking Steve Lombardozzi with the bases loaded. But would two runs really be enough to stay ahead of an offensive juggernaut with home run power in the form of Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez? On Thursday night, yes.
Despite Vance Worley's 2015 season being classified as a letdown (since he was demoted from Pittsburgh in August), Indianapolis' starter continued to take out his frustration on International League opponents tonight.
The right hander, who was coming off of a quality start of two earned runs in eight innings, continued his domination by keeping the RailRiders' hitters off-balance with a nasty fastball-curveball combination. In addition to Worley pitching very well, he received great help from center fielder Gorkys Hernandez. Not only did the tremendous defensive outfielder of the Indians rob New York Yankees' number two prospect, Aaron Judge, once of extra bases, but twice as he chased down both hard hit balls to keep the lanky slugger off the base paths.
From Hernandez's amazing plays, Worley was able to work through Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's lineup with ease and go eight innings while only allowing one run (unearned). Yet, Keon Broxton and Indianapolis did not stop at two runs as they plated four in the bottom of the fifth to further widen the lead to five, where it would stay for the remaining four innings.
At the dish, Bell and Broxton both had 2 RBIs for the Indians while the RailRiders' Ben Gamel ended the night with a two-hit game. Though Aaron Judge was constantly frustrated by Hernandez, MLB.com's 19th prospect blooped a single in the seventh to extend his playoff hit streak to two games.
While Indianapolis increased their series lead to 2-0 over Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Game 2 of the other IL semi-final between the Columbus Clippers and Norfolk Tides was suspended in the second inning due to rain. Currently, Columbus holds a 1-0 series advantage on Norfolk and the two will complete the second matchup Friday evening at Habor Park.
Tomorrow the Indianapolis Indians, who are looking to reach their first Governors' Cup Final since 2005 (when they were swept by Toledo), will send Pittsburgh Pirates' top prospect Tyler Glasnow to the mound at PNC Field in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre against 11-game winner Kyle Davies.