IronPigs' Big Inning Downs Bats, 8-4
July 10, 2014 - International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release
LOUISVILLE, KY - The Louisville Bats dropped game on of a four-game series against Lehigh Valley by a score of 8-4 on Thursday night at Louisville Slugger Field.
It was a close ballgame until the top of the eighth inning when righty Justin Freeman (1-1, 6.55) surrendered five runs to the IronPigs. It was his third blown-save of the season after he pitched just one inning, gave up six hits, five earned runs and had two strikeouts. The Bats came into the eighth inning with a 4-3 lead but after four consecutive singles and six hits in the inning, Lehigh Valley took the final lead of the game.
The Bats would be the first on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning when outfielder Donald Lutz hit a two-run homerun to drive outfielder Felix Perez. Lutz went 2-for-4 in the game, had two runs and a stolen-base, his third of the year.
The Bats scored runs in the bottom of the sixth and seventh innings. In the sixth infielder Ruben Gotay hit a solo-homer, his 15th of the season, to tie the game at 3-3. Lutz would lead off the seventh inning with a single and score on a double from infielder Hernan Iribarren.
Righty Josh Smith gave Louisville another quality start tonight after pitching a complete-game on July 5. Smith pitched seven innings, gave up eight hits, three earned runs, two walks and had four strikeouts. He pitched 12 consecutive scoreless innings going back to the first inning on July 5 before giving up three runs tonight in the top of the fifth inning.
Smith's three earned runs all came in the top of the fifth inning, and he gave up four hits in the half-inning. IronPigs infielder Leonardo Castro and pitcher Sean O'Sullivan scored on a two-RBI double by infielder Tyler Henson. Henson then scored on a single from infielder Russ Canzler, giving the IronPigs a 3-2 lead.
O'Sullivan (4-6, 4.20), a right-handed pitcher, started the game for Lehigh Valley and received his fourth victory of the season. He pitched seven innings, gave up six hits, four earned runs and had eight strikeouts.
Lehigh Valley has the best road record in the league at 25-20. It is only the second time this season they have won back-to-back games against IL West opponents after they beat Indianapolis last night 7-4.
The Bats are now 3-2 against the IronPigs in 2014, which is still good enough for their best record against an IL North opponent. The North division has been the toughest for the Bats as they are a combined 11-22 against them. Their next-best record in the division is against Buffalo at 3-5.
Louisville surrendered 15 hits in the game, and each starter for the IronPigs had a hit except outfielder Grady Sizemore who was taken out of the game after one at-bat.
Catcher Chris Berset made his Triple-A debut for the Bats tonight becoming the 55th player to appear in a Bats uniform this season. He caught a runner stealing second in the top of the fifth inning and threw out 22-of-50 would-be base stealers in 2013.
The Bats will face off against the IronPigs in the second of a four-game series tomorrow night at 7:05 at LSF. The Bats starter is still to be announced after right-handed pitcher Brett Marshall was designated for assignment earlier today. Lehigh Valley will send righty Brad Lincoln (4-4, 4.11) out to the mound.
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