Bats Seven-Game Winning Streak Ends With 5-3 Loss
Published on July 18, 2008 under International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release
Louisville, KY - A three-run eighth inning by the Charlotte Knights snapped a 2-2 tie, as the Louisville Bats suffered a 5-3 defeat on Friday evening at Louisville Slugger Field, ending their season-high seven-game winning streak.
Both offenses were quiet early, but Louisville got on the board first when B.J. Szymanski launched a sacrifice fly to right field in the fourth inning with the bases loaded that scored Ryan Hanigan, giving the Bats a 1-0 edge.
The lead was short lived, however, as the Knights put up two runs in the top of the fifth to take their first lead of the game. Louisville came back to even the score in the bottom of the seventh inning, when Michael Griffin belted an RBI double that scored Paul Janish and made it a 2-2 game. Since being recalled from double-A Chattanooga in May, Griffin has improved his batting average by over 80 points each month, and has hit safely in 12 of his last 14 games.
Despite coming into tonight's game with an 8-3 record in games tied after seven innings, Charlotte busted the game wide open in the top of the eighth, as the Knights scored three runs, allowing them to take a lead they would not relinquish. Cole Armstong's two-run single gave the Knights a 4-2 lead, while another run was added when Royce Huffman hit his second RBI double of the game. All runs were scored off Bats' reliever Todd Coffey (3-3, 4.15), who took the loss despite not being scored on in his last four appearances before tonight's game.
Louisville tightened the game in the bottom of the eighth when Kevin Barker ripped a double to the gap in right center that scored Adam Rosales making it a 5-3 contest. It was Barker's team-leading 50th RBI. However, the Bats could do no more damage in the inning and were also held in check in the ninth frame.
Bats' starter Ramon Ramirez got a no-decision, but pitched well, going six innings and giving up six hits and two earned runs. He tied his season high with seven strikeouts, while only walking two. It was the eleventh quality start by Bats pitchers in their last 15 outings. In total, Louisville pitchers fanned 11 Knights' batters.
Charlotte starting pitcher Wes Whisler went five innings, giving up five hits and only one earned run, but was also given a no-decision. D. J. Carrasco (2-1, 2.88) was awarded the win, giving up three hits and two earned runs in 2.1 innings.
On Saturday evening at 6:05PM, the Bats and Knights will play the third of their four-game series at Louisville Slugger Field. LHP Adam Pettyjohn (8-4, 5.06), who pitched seven shutout innings in his last start against Buffalo on July 10th, will be on the mound for Louisville, while Charlotte will counter with RHP Charlie Hager (8-7, 4.02).
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