K-Tribe wins third straight

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on August 18, 2005 2:02 PM

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KINSTON -- Adam Miller faced just one over the minimum through five shutout innings and four Indians had two-hit nights as Kinston never trailed in a 4-2 win over Salem on Wednesday night.

The victory, Kinston's third straight over the Avalanche, moved the K-Tribe to 24-28 in the second half and 65-57 overall and just 31/2 games behind Salem for first place in the Southern Division. The Avalanche fell to 27-24 and 57-64.

The Indians got to Salem starter Chance Douglass, the league leader with a 3.11 ERA, for an early run in the bottom of the second. Rodney Choy Foo began the inning by ripping a double down the right field line, and Brian Barton moved him to third with a groundout to the right side. Michael Butia then came through with a bouncer into center field to score Choy Foo and give Kinston a 1-0 lead.

The Indians then got the two deciding runs in the bottom of the fourth, as Butia delivered another RBI single to score Barton from second and make it 2-0. After David Wallace reached on an error later in the inning, Argenis Reyes came through with a two-out RBI single to left to plate Wallace and give Kinston a 3-0 lead.

Salem managed to make things interesting in the top of the seventh, as a walk and a single put runners at first and second against reliever Shea Douglas. Pinch-hitter Wilton Reynolds grounded out for the second out, but Kevin Davidson managed a bloop single to shallow left field to score two runs and make it 3-2.

Kyle Collins came out of the bullpen and struck out Mike Floyd to end the inning though, and the Indians got a run right back in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI double from Kevin Kouzmanoff.

The Avalanche did mount one final threat in the top of the ninth, as K-Tribe closer Todd Pennington walked Mario Garza with one out to bring the potential tying run to the plate. Indians manager Luis Rivera summoned Jim Ed Warden out of the bullpen however, and Warden responded by striking out Hunter Pence looking and getting Reynolds on an easy come-backer to nail down the win.

Miller (2-3) was fantastic as he allowed just an infield single and a walk while recording six strikeouts in five scoreless innings. Douglas (9-9) was touched for four runs and nine hits over six innings, with one walk and five strikeouts. Warden's save was his fourth.

Reyes, Kouzmanoff, Barton and Butia all went 2-4 offensively, while Brandon Pinckney extended his hitting streak to 11 games and Choy Foo reached base for the 21st straight game.

Kinston will look to complete the sweep of the Avalanche in this four-game series today at 7 p.m. Scott Roehl (1-0, 0.66 ERA) will start for Kinston against Salem's Matt Albers (6-11, 4.80 ERA).