Duncan does it again for Yankees

INDIANAPOLIS -- Shelley Duncan isn’t likely to forget his most recent trip to Victory Field.

In four games, Duncan had eight base hits in 15 at-bats. Two of those hits were home runs, giving Duncan the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre single-season record for home runs at 25.

“Winning is more important to me,” Duncan said after scoring the winning run in the top of the ninth to give the Yankees a series sweep and 7-6 win over the Indians Thursday night. “When you win like we have been you have a lot more fun with your buddies and that’s what I like best about baseball.”

Despite his hot hitting streak, it was getting hit by a pitch that led to Duncan’s winning run Thursday. After leading off the ninth by being hit by a pitch, Duncan took third with some heads-up base running on a single by designated hitter Erubiel Durazo. Eric Duncan was then walked with one out to load the bases, and Shelley Duncan scored on a long sacrifice to center field by second baseman Andy Cannizaro.

“To come from behind twice and complete a sweep on the road is more fun that hitting homers,” Shelley Duncan said. “When you have nine guys staying focused for nine innings like we have had lately, it makes the game a lot of fun.”

Cannizaro also had a lot of fun in Indianapolis. He had two great at-bats in the ninth inning of the last two games to help the Yankees with ninth inning victories.

“I just went into battle out there,” Cannizaro said. “I wanted to make contact and hit the ball deep enough to score Shelley. You have to perform in those situations.”

Reliever Jim Brower also performed this week, earning three saves during the four-game sweep. He pitched the final inning Thursday for his 19th save of the season.

“I felt good out there all week,” Brower said. “We played good ball here. The key is to keep it going.”

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a single and a stolen base by Brett Gardner, who scored on an RBI single by Shelley Duncan. The Indians took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first when Michael Ryan hit a solo home run to deep right field. Jose Hernandez followed with a double and scored on an RBI single by Brad Eldred.

Duncan’s two-run shot in the top of the third gave the Yankees a 3-2 lead and they extended that to 5-2 in top of the fourth on a solo home run by third baseman Eric Duncan and an RBI double by catcher Raul Chavez that scored Andy Cannizaro.

Indianapolis added two runs in the bottom of the fourth thanks to an error at first by Shelley Duncan. Indianapolis right fielder Adam Boeve then hit a two-run single.

The Indians went ahead 6-5 in the bottom of the sixth by loading the bases with no out on a walk and consecutive singles. Boeve and shortstop Brian Bixler hit back-to-back RBI singles before a fielder’s choice and two fly balls ended the inning.

Scranton/Wilkes Barre tied the game in the top of the seventh on two walks and two singles with two outs. Durazo walked after left fielder Kevin Reese was caught stealing second, and Durazo later scored from second on an RBI single by Eric Duncan. Cannizaro then loaded the bases with a walk before Chavez struck out swinging.