4/9/08: Indy 7 Chiefs 3

This is going to be informal as I just don't feel like writing much about this game.

Syracuse is now on a 3 game losing streak and have clinched having a losing record after their season opening homestand. Syracuse comes out again with the first run, but then they blow it soon after, with Jorge Velandia taking a routine grounder at shortstop and throwing it way off base, leaving Chip Cannon without a shot at even touching the ball, let alone catching it.

I truly thought once the game was 3-2 that Syracuse would have a shot, but it took an odd sequence to make the game 4-2 and kill off momentum. With runners on 2nd and 3rd, Luis Ordaz hit a sacrifice fly to left. Wayne Lydon's throw was off, allowing Neil Walker to easily score. Suddenly, the Chiefs bullpen, along with some fans, were yelling for the ball to be thrown to 3rd as a protest. This happens and 3rd base umpire Brian Reilly denies the protest, showing the safe signal. Well the bullpen is furious. Tracy Thorpe was yelling about Reilly blowing the call, when Reilly said something back to him. Well the two keep exchanging, basically Thorpe saying that Reilly blew it. Suddenly, 1st base umpire (standing around second base) yells "That's it you're out of here" and tosses Thorpe. A few unrepeatable pleasantries are said to the umpires and finally the bullpen realizes Thorpe had been tossed. It was one of those sequences that you basically had to see in person, as I could not do it justice. Throughout the rest of the game, comments towards Reilly were yelled from both sides of the stands, from some people I was shocked to hear them from. This tells me that he did most likely blow the call, but having not seen it, I cannot comment on my opinion, except that I feel if anyone was going to toss Thorpe, it should have been Reilly, not Dowdy, as Dowdy was not involved.

The Chiefs tried to fight back, but Josh Wilson (the #9 batter) hit his second home run of the series, and Neil Walker hit a two run homer to drive the dagger into the hearts of the Chiefs.

Jason Davis (1-0) gets the win, while Josh Banks (0-1) gets the loss.

Around the rest of the league, Pawtucket (5-2) is now three games ahead of Syracuse. Syracuse will face the bottom three teams in their division in their next three series, as they play @Rochester, @Buffalo, and then host the only winless IL team the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. The change of scenery from Ottawa to Pennsylvania hasn't changed the "winning" ways of Philly's Triple-A team.

Probables for Thursday are Ty Taubenheim (0-1, 8.31) for Indy against Kane Davis (0-1, 1.80) for Syracuse.