Defense the Difference as Bats Fall to Chiefs
April 22, 2014 - International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Syracuse Chiefs defeated the Louisville Bats 4-1 behind an impressive pitching and defensive performance to win the first of a four-game series at Louisville Slugger Field on Tuesday night.
Syracuse right-hander Ryan Tatusko (1-2, 2.18), who started the game in place of the previously scheduled Blake Treinen, earned his first win of the season and was tough to hit in a six-inning performance. Not only did Tatusko allow one run on four hits, but he also faced only four Louisville batters over the minimum.
Opposite Tatusko, Louisville's Chien-Ming Wang (1-3, 6.16) continued his struggles to start the 2014 season. The native of Taiwan allowed four runs (two earned) on six hits in four and one-third innings pitched. He also walked three and struck out two to push his season total to 13 and nine, respectively.
The Chiefs broke a 1-1 tie in the top of the fifth inning when they scored three runs on three errors committed by the Louisville defense. The Bats have now committed 19 errors in 18 games on the season. Leadoff hitter and left fielder Eury Perez reached on third baseman Mike Costanzo's first of two errors in the inning. The Chiefs' lineup followed with three consecutive singles and, despite leaving the bases loaded, ultimately took a 4-1 lead before the inning ended.
Louisville relief pitchers Nick Schmidt, Curtis Partch and Lee Hyde did a good job in holding Syracuse scoreless through the final four frames, but the Louisville offense never got the bats going to spark a comeback.
Pinch hitter Mike Wilson, who stepped to the plate in place of right fielder Felix Perez, represented the Bats tying run in the bottom of the eighth inning but grounded out with runners on the corners to end the scoring threat.
Chiefs' left-hander Tyler Robertson entered the game in the ninth inning and retired the Bats in order to end the game. It was Robertson's first save of the season.
With tonight's game, Louisville fell to an even 9-9 on the season while Syracuse improved its record to 8-10.
The two teams will return to Louisville Slugger Field tomorrow at 6:35 p.m. for the second of a four-game set. Right-handed pitcher Chad Reineke (0-0, 2.84) will presumably get the start for Louisville in place of the injured David Holmberg (0-3, 14.46) and face Syracuse left-hander Aaron Laffey (1-0, 0.00).
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