Racers Hope Opening Day Win Bodes Well for Season
The Indianapolis Racers satisfied the home crowd at The Track at Indy, treating them to a season-opening win, 9-2, over the San Francisco Fire. Starting Pitcher Jose Rodriguez was the standout performer for Indianapolis. The 32-year-old Rodriguez pitched 7.2 innings while allowing two runs on seven hits with six strikeouts.
The 38-year-old right fielder, Seung-yeop Kim, who finished 5th in the DC in extra-base hits with 82 in 2007, came through for Indianapolis with a 2-run double in the bottom of the fifth. The right fielder went 2 for 4 for the game, including 1 home run and 1 double. He scored 1 run and collected 3 runs batted in. “We did more than enough to get the win,” said Rodriguez.
For the Fire, Ricardo Prieto picked up the loss. Pitching 5.0 innings while allowing five runs on six hits with two walks.
Fire Clip Racers, 1-0
Indianapolis wasted a solid 8-inning effort from starting pitcher Alan Williams, losing to San Francisco, 1-0, at The Track at Indy. Williams lasted 8.0 innings while allowing one run on four hits with two walks and five strikeouts. Jon Seeley started for San Francisco and pitched 5.1 innings while allowing just two hits with a walk and a strikeout. John Hibbert notched the win in relief. The right-hander allowed no runs on no hits in 1.2 innings. His record now sits at 1-0. Steve Hayes closed it out for his 1st save.
San Francisco used the timely hitting of Victor Sorto to seize the win. The left fielder stroked a run-scoring single in the top of the eighth inning to put the Fire on top, 1-0. It was his only hit in 2 at-bats, but it was a game-changer. Sorto told a San Francisco Times reporter that he was “satisfied” with the win. The loss has the Racers at 1-1.
The Racers would only muster three hits; catcher Carlos Chavira, SS Bellchior Caterina and pinch hitter LF Bill Zuniga with those hits.
Racers Beat Visiting Fire, 5-2
With right fielder Seung-yeop Kim leading the charge, the Indianapolis Racers defeated the San Francisco Fire, 5-2, at The Track at Indy. Kim, who finished 4th in the DC in runs with 117 in 2012, went 2 for 3 with a home run and a walk, while adding 3 RBI and scoring once. The win puts Indianapolis at 2-1.
The Fire got out to an early two-run lead in the top of the first inning. Ricardo Eusebio led off the game with a double before Ryan May proceeded to score Eusebio with a double of his own. Mario Rodriguez singled to score May and make it 2-0. But a five-run third inning gave the Racers the lead that they never relinquished. Kim contributed a big hit, a 3-run home run, for Indianapolis in the bottom of the third. With his team trailing 2-1, Kim took a changeup from Alan Pensyl and stroked the home run to left. His 2nd home run of the season allowed the Racers to leap in front, 4-2.
“I felt we were ready to go,” said Indianapolis manager Mauricio Meranda. “Our pregame was pretty good.” Maurice Haywood started for Indy and pitched 5.1 innings while allowing two runs on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Matt Burkhardt picked up his first save of the season. Alan Pensyl was on the mound for San Francisco and lasted just 3.0 innings while allowing five runs on eight hits with one walk and two strikeouts. He falls to 0-1 on the season.
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