Barrero Goes Deep, 'Pen Hangs on as Bats Win 2nd Straight

July 1, 2021 - International League (IL)
Louisville Bats News Release

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Jose Barrero lifted his first Triple-A home run, Riley O'Brien worked 5.1 innings and the Louisville Bats clipped the Nashville Sounds 5-2 Thursday night at First Horizon Park.

With the victory, the Bats have now won four of the last five games and are 7-4 over their last 11 contests since June 19.

Barrero loudly announced his presence in Louisville's lineup, launching a towering two-run homer that park metrics measured with a 106 MPH exit velocity and projected distance of 428 feet. Barrero, formerly Jose Garcia, is ranked as the No. 4 prospect in the Cincinnati Reds' system according to MLB.com.

The homer buffed Louisville's lead to 3-1 and proved to be enough for starter O'Brien and four relievers. O'Brien navigated 5.1 frames with two hits, one run and five strikeouts to earn the victory. The right-hander is now 6-1 with a 2.31 ERA over his last 16 Minor League appearances on the road.

Once O'Brien departed, R.J. Alaniz authored 1.2 scoreless frames, Phillip Diehl allowed a run-scoring double before closing out the eighth and Edgar Garcia worked his 12th consecutive scoreless appearance in a shutout ninth.

Logan Morrison extended his on-base streak to each of his 14 games with the Bats by doubling home the team's first run of the game in the top of the fourth. Brantley Bell added an insurance run with a single up the middle in the top of the ninth, before Mark Payton plated one more run in the frame with an RBI triple.

The Bats and Sounds will continue their six-game series Friday at First Horizon Park. Reds rehabber RHP Jeff Hoffman will get the ball against RHP Josh Lindblom (2-0, 0.73), with first pitch set for 8:05 p.m. EST.

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