Celebrate Memorial Day at Victory Field
Indians players will wear camouflage jerseys on Monday courtesy of the Indiana National Guard.
INDIANAPOLIS — Victory Field will be the place to be this Memorial Day as the Indianapolis Indians host a special celebration to commemorate the holiday honoring our nation’s fallen combatants. As part of the festivities on May 27, the Tribe will don camouflage jerseys, courtesy of the Indiana National Guard, before capping off the evening with a post-game fireworks show. The contest will begin at a special start time of 6:05 p.m. with gates opening at 4:30 p.m.
To read more about Memorial Day at Victory Field, visit IndyIndians.com. To purchase Memorial Day tickets and for the rest of the 2013 season, fans can call the Indians’ single-game ticket hotline at 317-269-2282, visit the Victory Field Box Office on Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, or click here.
Mercer helping to show off Pirates farm depth
Mercer has been called up to Pittsburgh on two separate occasions this season. (Photo by Bill Gentry)
Coming into the 2013 season, many didn’t view the NL Central as a prominent division in baseball. However through the first quarter of the season, the good play of the Pittsburgh Pirates has turned the division into a three-team race.
A lot of the team’s success early on can be attributed to their depth off of the bench as well as in the organization.
“We played a stretch in May without [Russell] Martin and [Neil] Walker, and we were able to hold fast and win games,” Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle told MLB.com reporter Steven Petrella. “That speaks to the depth, collectively.”
A key contributor to the Bucs has been the play of infielder Jordy Mercer. Through 26 games with the Indians Mercer has batted .333 with 19 RBIs. His time with the Pirates has produced four home runs, including two in one game against the New York Mets.
To read more about the Pirates organization, including Indians manager Dean Treanor’s relationship with Clint Hurdle, click here.
Tribe Bats Heat Up as Season Gets In Full Swing
Brett Carroll is one of several batters finding his swing as the season turns to May (Photo by Bill Gentry)
By Manny Randhawa
Felix Pie never doubted that things would turn around for him at the plate.
“That happens in baseball,” the Indians outfielder said of his slow start to the season. “Every ballplayer has some [slumps]. It [all] has to do with how you handle it.”
Pie seems to have handled it just fine. Over his last 14 games, he’s hitting a scorching .404 with three doubles, two triples, three homers (including a grand slam) and 16 RBI in 52 at-bats. And that’s not to mention an on-base percentage of .492 with 11 runs scored.
But Pie isn’t the only Indians player to awaken from an early season slumber at the plate. As a team, the Indians have exploded on offense, scoring 96 runs in 19 games during May as part of an emergence of Tribe hitting that was anticipated from the beginning of the season.
In the first month of the 2013 campaign, the Indians hit just .246 as a team with only 11 home runs. Just a few weeks into May, they’re hitting .265 as a unit and have already hit more homers (19) than in all of April.
“We’re a month deep,” said Indians catcher Tony Sanchez. “Most of us have 100 AB’s, and everyone’s starting to lock it in.”
“Locking it in” is a great way to describe what Sanchez, usually known for his stellar defense, has been doing with the bat lately, hitting .387 (12-for-31) with seven doubles, a homer and seven RBI over his last 10 games.
The backstop recently finished just a triple short of a cycle in a 10-4 victory over the Buffalo Bisons on May 14, going 3-for-4 with a mammoth home run to right-center that nearly ended up on West Street.
“I knew it was gone,” Sanchez said of his two-run shot in the first inning. “It’s a tribute to what I’ve been working on.”
The hot hitting catcher was referring to the mechanics of his approach at the plate toward the very beginning of the season.
“I made an adjustment in the beginning of the season, about a week in,” he explained. “I had a slow start. Unfortunately I’m a notoriously slow starter, but it took me about 15 AB’s to realize, ‘okay, let me make this switch,’ … and ever since then I’ve been hitting the ball fairly well.”
The man who leads the Indians in home runs (8) and is tied for first RBI (21) – six-year MLB veteran Brett Carroll – said that the key for him has been to just relax and remember why he’s playing the game.
“Honestly, I think over the last couple of weeks I was really trying to press too much, do too much,” the Tribe’s slugging outfielder recalled. “For me it was just getting back to why I’m playing the game and just trying to be in the moment and really stay relaxed and realize that I can sometimes overanalyze.”
Well, to put it more simply, the outfielder has hit five homers and driven in nine runs in the month of May alone, including two tape-measure blasts in Indianapolis’ 14-7 drubbing of the Bisons on May 15.
“Anytime the guys are stringing hits together it makes it fun as an offensive player. You want to keep it going, keep the line moving,” Carroll said of the Indians’ recent power surge. “I think guys are putting good at-bats together and we’re scoring runs when we need to.”
Carroll also underscored an important truth about the game of baseball in talking about his two-homer day Wednesday, particularly when it comes to hitting: it’s about being comfortable, which Indians hitters as a group seem to be right now.
“I felt really calm in [the batter’s box],” he said.
“I felt free and at peace, and that really helps as a hitter.”
Zagurski Becoming Force in IL
Zagurski has fanned 34 hitters through 19 2/3 innings. (Photo by Bill Gentry)
Two months into the 2013 season Indianapolis Indians reliever Mike Zagurski is building a strong reputation out of the bullpen as guy you can rely on to strike out a batter in a pressure situation.
In Monday’s 8-4 win over Pawtucket, the left-hander collected three of his four total outs via a strikeout, upping his season punchout total to 34.
But despite his quality results, that’s not quite what Zagurski has been looking to accomplish this year.
“I’m certainly not going out there thinking, ‘OK, I’m going to strike this guy out,’” Zagurski told MLB.com reporter Josh Jackson. “I never look to strike them out if I don’t need to. You can’t strike a guy out until you have two strikes on him. I just try to throw good pitches and try to get guys out.”
To continue reading about Zagurski’s success out of the Indians bullpen, click here.
Victory Field’s 10 Millionth Fan Contest
On Friday, May 17, Victory Field’s honorary 10 Millionth Fan will have the chance to win $10,000.
INDIANAPOLIS — Since opening on July 11, 1996, Victory Field has hosted 9,975,795 fans and is now expected to welcome its 10 millionth fan on Friday, May 17. All fans (18 and older) in attendance at the game will have a chance to be named the honorary 10 millionth fan and take home a special package that includes a chance at winning $10,000.
On Friday, May 17 all ticketed fans (18 and older) in attendance for the Indians 7:15 p.m. contest against the Buffalo Bisons can enter the “10 Millionth Fan” contest at the Register to Win Gazebo in the PNC Plaza located in center field. Fans must show their May 17, 2013 ticket to be eligible to enter. Entries will be accepted until the end of the fourth inning.
For complete details, including a list of items the honorary 10 millionth fan will walk away with, visit IndyIndians.com/10MillionthFan.
Oliver Named IL Pitcher of the Week
LHP Andy Oliver went 2-0 with an 0.82 ERA in two starts. (Photo by Billy Gentry)
INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Indians left-handed pitcher Andy Oliver has been named the International League’s Pitcher of the Week for the period of May 6-13. The southpaw won both of his starts during the week after allowing just five hits and one earned run through a combined 11.0 innings of work (0.82 ERA).
Oliver opened his stellar week with 6.0 scoreless frames at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on April 6 to help stop the Tribe’s season-worst three-game losing streak. In the victory, the left-hander limited the opposing RailRiders to just two hits while also walking four and fanning five as he piloted the Indians to a combined shutout. The outing marked his team-high tying fourth quality start of the year, and was his second straight quality outing.
To read more about Oliver’s accomplishment, visit IndyIndians.com.
Black Named April Player of the Month
Vic Black converted six of seven save opportunities in April. (Photo by Mark Dickhaus)
INDIANAPOLIS — Relief pitcher Vic Black has been named the Indianapolis Indians’ Player of the Month for April. He will accept the award – a custom-made watch courtesy of Windsor Jewelry – before tonight’s home contest against the Toledo Mud Hens.
Black was one of the most consistent arms out of the Tribe’s bullpen in April, converting six of seven save opportunities while posting a 2.93 ERA (5 ER in 15.1 IP), 1.04 WHIP and 24 strikeouts to just seven walks. The right-hander’s six saves were the third most in the International League during the month, and his 11 appearances were tied for second among all IL hurlers as well.
To read more about Black’s player of the month award, visit IndyIndians.com.
Fireworks Bookend Tribe’s Homestand
Fireworks will follow the conclusion of both May 10 & 17 games.
INDIANAPOLIS – Your Indianapolis Indians return home to Victory Field on Friday, May 10 for an eight-game homestand which includes four contests against both the Toledo Mud Hens, Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, and Buffalo Bisons, Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Along with eight games of exciting baseball action, fans will also be treated to the season’s first Friday Night Fireworks shows on May 10, courtesy of Gildan, and May 17, courtesy of Hoosier Lottery.
Friday, May 10 Vs. Toledo 7:15 P.M.
Presented By Gildan
Friday Night Fireworks – Fans are invited to stick around after the game to catch the season’s first fantastic Friday Night Fireworks show.
Saturday, May 11 Vs. Toledo 7:05 P.M.
Presented By Qdoba Mexican Grill
Team Autograph Session – Come out and meet the 2013 Indianapolis Indians as the first-place squad will be on hand to meet fans and sign autographs from 5:45-6:30 p.m.
Live Performance by the Russian Bar Trio – This group of high-flying acrobats will amaze spectators with their on-field stunts throughout the Indians game.
Circuit of Fun Scout Event – The Tribe is set to host its first ever Circuit of Fun Scout Night, which will feature an exciting pre-game Scout party. To secure a spot for your scout, click here.
Sunday, May 12 Vs. Toledo 1:35 P.M.
Presented By Hoosier Momma, Meijer & Rtv6
Kids Eat Free – Bring your kids to Victory Field on Sunday afternoon, as all children aged 14 and under receive a voucher for one hot dog, a bottle of water and one bag of chips with the price of admission.
Mother’s Day Post-Game Catch – In celebration of Mother’s Day, the Indians are inviting mothers and their families to play catch on the Victory Field outfield grass following the regularly scheduled 1:35 p.m. game. To book your reservation click here. Gates open at 12:00 p.m.
Monday, May 13 Vs. Toledo 11:05 A.M.
Presented By Citizens Energy Group, Indiana Members Credit Union & Iupui
Baseball in Education- Thousands of school-aged kids will have the opportunity to learn outside the classroom with the season’s third Baseball in Education day at Victory Field. Students in attendance will receive special educational workbooks to complete during an afternoon filled with baseball-related curriculum. Gates open at 9:30 a.m.
Tuesday, May 14 Vs. Buffalo 7:05 P.M.
Presented By Mcalister’s Deli & Wjjk
Two-For-One Tuesday – Fans can receive two tickets for the price of one to all Tuesday home games by picking up a voucher at any central Indiana McAlister’s Deli location.
Wednesday, May 15 Vs. Buffalo 1:35 P.M.
Business Day Game – Come out to the ballpark for an extended lunch break as the Indians continue a baseball tradition of the businesspersons’ afternoon game. Gates open at 12:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 16 Vs. Buffalo 11:05 A.M.
Presented By Citizens Energy Group, Indiana Members Credit Union & Iupui
Baseball in Education- Thousands of school-aged kids will have the opportunity to learn outside the classroom with the season’s fourth and final Baseball in Education day at Victory Field. Students in attendance will receive special educational workbooks to complete during an afternoon filled with baseball-related curriculum. Gates open at 9:30 a.m.
Friday, May 17 Vs. Buffalo 7:15 P.M. Presented By Hoosier Lottery
Friday Night Fireworks – The homestand is capped off with a bang as fans are invited to stick around after the series’ final game to see a fantastic Friday Night Fireworks show.
Come out and celebrate summer with your Indianapolis Indians. Tickets for the upcoming homestand and the rest of the Tribe’s 2013 season are currently available by clicking here, through the Indians’ single-game ticket hotline at 317-269-2282 or by visiting the Victory Field Box Office on Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Summer Camp Savings at Victory Field
Summer Camp Groups are able to purchase discounted tickets for the June 26 game.
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Indians are inviting Summer Camp groups to spend the afternoon at Victory Field as part of the Tribe’s first ever Summer Camp Day on Wednesday, June 26. Groups attending the 1:35 p.m. game between the Indians and Rochester Red Wings can purchase lawn seats for the discounted price of $5, and both Box and Reserved seats for only $7.
For more information on this great deal, contact the Indianapolis Indians Box Office at 317-269-3545 or visit IndyIndians.com.
City and County Championships
The Indians will host the 2013 City & County Championships May 9 at Victory Field.
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Indians will host the 2013 City and County Championship this Thursday, May 9 at Victory Field. The City Championship features Scecina Memorial and Cathedral at 5:30 p.m., followed by a matchup between North Central and Franklin Central for the County Championship starting no earlier than 7:30 p.m.
To read more about these matchups and how to purchase tickets, visit IndyIndians.com.
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