Barker Makes History as Bats Roll Over Indians 12-11
July 3, 2008 - International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release
Louisville, KY - Kevin Barker made history Thursday night as he tied Brandon Larson for the most RBI's in franchise history. Barker's solo home run in the fourth inning was his 227th RBI in a Louisville uniform. The home run started a six run fourth inning for the Bats and paced the way for a 12-11 victory over the Indianapolis Indians in front of 11,795 fans at Louisville Slugger Field.
The Bats got on the scoreboard early against Indians' starter Ty Taubenheim. In the bottom of the second, Bats right fielder Rob Mackowiak laced a one-out double to right, and Michael Griffin was able to drive him in with a two out single to left. Luis Bolivar followed Griffin with a double of his own to make the score 2-0.
The Indians didn't waste time in countering the Bats attack. In the top of the third, catcher Michel Hernandez led off with a double to right field. Brian Bixler was able to put the Indians on the board when he drove in Hernandez with his fourth double of the year. Nyjer Morgan followed Bixler with an RBI single, and he was driven home later in the inning by a base hit from Adam Boeve making the score 3-2.
Down 3-2 in the fourth, the Bats offense exploded and history was made. Barker stepped to the plate to lead off the inning and promptly launched his team leading 11th home run over the center field wall, tying the game at three. The home run also tied him with Brandon Larson for the franchise record in RBI's. After a Mackowiak walk, Bats catcher Alvin Colina blasted his sixth home run of the year into the left field seats, giving the Bats the lead. Later in the inning with two on and two out, Paul Janish roped his sixth double of the year down the left field line scoring both Bolivar and Chris Dickerson. Drew Anderson then got in mix with an RBI single to center capping off a six-run fourth inning, making the score 8-3, and spelling the end of the night for Taubenheim. He ended up pitching 3.2 innings, giving up seven hits, and eight earned runs. He also walked three and struck out four.
The Indians offense made a comeback bid in the seventh when they put up five runs against Bats starter Justin Mallett and the Bats bullpen. Hernandez started the Indians rally with a leadoff double and was followed by a single from pinch hitter Luis Ordaz. Reliver Daniel Ray Herrera came on to replace Mallett and was not helped out by his defense. A fielding error by Griffin allowed Hernandez to score making it an 8-4 game. Morgan picked up his second RBI of the game when he drove home Ordaz with a single to left. Andrew McCutchen then drew a walk, loading the bases with no one out. Todd Coffey entered the game and immediately walked in a run. After a Matt Kata one-out sacrifice fly scored Morgan, Josh Wilson tied the game at eight when he singled to center completing the Indian comeback.
The Bats responded with some thunder in the bottom of the seventh. Barker singled with one out and Mackowiak drew a walk, setting the stage for Colina. Against newly inserted Indians reliever Franklyn German, Colina lined his second home run of the game, just inside the left field foul pole, putting the Bats ahead for good at 11-8. It was the second time this year Colina has homered twice in a game. The Bats added another run in the eighth making the score 12-8.
The Indians tried to comeback again in top of the ninth. After an error by Janish to start the inning, Boeve sent a two-run home run to left, cutting the deficit to 12-10. Later in the inning Ordaz added an RBI single making it 12-11, but that's as close as Indy would come.
In the Bats victory, Coffey (3-2 3.94) picked up his third win of the season. He pitched one inning, gave up one hit, and no runs. He also walked one and struck out one. Marino Salas (2-2 4.64), who started the seventh inning for Indianapolis, was hit with his second loss. He went 0.1 innings, giving up one hit, and two earned runs. He also walked a batter. Ramon Ramirez came on in the ninth for his first save of the year.
The Bats and Indians will head to Indianapolis tomorrow for the fifth game of this six game series before returning to Louisville Slugger Field on Saturday. Game time is set for 6:00 p.m. tomorrow with Bats LHP Matt Maloney (8-4 4.32) scheduled to get the start. He will be opposed by Indians starter LHP Corey Hamman (0-0 4.50).
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International League Stories from July 3, 2008
- Indians drop wild affair - Indianapolis Indians
- Norfolk rally falls short - Norfolk Tides
- Barker Makes History as Bats Roll Over Indians 12-11 - Louisville Bats
- Bulls drop final game of homestand - Durham Bulls
- Tribe and Lilly combine for charity - Indianapolis Indians
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- Barthmaier Honored as Top Tribe Player in June - Indianapolis Indians
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- McCutchen headed to All-Star Futures Game - Indianapolis Indians
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