Indy’s Gubanich excels in return to Cashman

Victoria Sun

Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2000 | 10:41 a.m.

It was quite a homecoming for Indianapolis catcher Creighton Gubanich.

The 28-year-old batted .291 with 19 home runs, 22 doubles and 70 RBIs in 86 games with the Las Vegas Stars during the 1998 season.

He was at it again on Tuesday night.

Gubanich's solo home run to left-center lifted the Indians to a 3-2 victory over the Memphis Redbirds in the second game of the Triple-A World Series before an announced 3,202 at Cashman Field.

Gubanich smacked Redbirds reliever Jose Rodriguez's 3-2 pitch just over the 364-foot marker. It was his second homer in as many games.

"It was a fastball; a cutter," Gubanich said. "You always want to have a situation where you can dictate the ball game with your offense.

"To be here in Vegas for the Triple-A World Series, it's nice to get in a situation with a walk-off home run. He left them up and I was just really trying to hit the ball out of the park instead of staying within myself."

With the victory the Indians (83-61, 8-4 in the playoffs) have a 2-0 lead over the Redbirds (81-63, 6-5) in the best-of-5 series. The third game was played this afternoon.

"We've got the ability to come out and take it in three," Gubanich said.

Indians closer Bob Scanlan entered the game with a International League-leading 35 saves, a single-season Indians record, but could not protect a 2-1 lead.

Scanlan walked leadoff batter Albert Pujols, then gave up a single to Andy Bevins. After forcing Lou Locca to ground out to third base, Keith McDonald singled in Pujols for the tie.

The Indians got out of the inning with their fourth double play of the night.

"That was big getting out of that inning just tied because it could have meant the ball game if they scored again," Gubanich said.

"We've decided to make it a 2-out-of-3 game series and have it played the second weekend after Labor Day at a neutral site," he said. "We'll vote on the site in December during the winter meetings in Dallas."

It's unclear if the Series will remain in Las Vegas. Poor attendance and an apathetic response by locals could be reasons enough to change venues, but Prescott said the Triple-A World Series might be back at Cashman Field.

"(Stars general manager) Donnie (Logan) feels strongly that if we come back here on a weekend we can make a significant increase in the crowd," Prescott said. "We need it to be better."