IL1 Louisville Bats

Bats Can't Break Through, Fall to Bulls 3-2

June 20, 2013 - International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release


DURHAM, N.C. - The Louisville Bats had their chances Wednesday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, but could not find the big hit as they fell to the Durham Bulls, 3-2. Speedster Billy Hamilton was left stranded on third base in the ninth as Neftali Soto flew out to center to end the game. The win gives Durham a 2-1 series advantage and a 4-3 season series advantage.

Designated hitter Josh Fellhauer led off the top of the ninth with a walk from Durham closer Kirby Yates. Hamilton was immediately sent out to pinch run for Fellhauer before stealing his International League-leading 44th and 45th bases. Durham catcher Jesus Flores made a pair of good throws on Hamilton's steal attempts, but was unable to catch the speedster at second or third. Still, Jason Donald and Kristopher Negron each struck out with Hamilton in scoring position before Soto flew out to end the game.

In all, the Bats left 11 runners on base, including leaving them loaded in the third and leaving two on in the first, sixth and eighth innings.

Louisville's only two runs came in the top of the eighth via an RBI single by Henry Rodriguez to score Negron and an RBI fielder's choice hit into by Emmanuel Burriss to score Soto. Burriss also stole his tenth base in the inning, tying him with Denis Phipps for second on the team.

Bats starter Daniel Corcino continued to struggle and was charged with three earned runs in 4.1 innings. Corcino (3-10) leads the league in losses and is just three shy of the Louisville franchise record of 13. Battling control issues most of the night, he allowed three earned runs on four hits and five walks with three strikeouts.

Durham's runs against Corcino came on an RBI single by Flores in the fourth and a two-run home run by Vince Belnome in the fifth to bring in Tim Beckham for a 3-0 lead.

Durham's Jeff Beliveau surrendered the only two Bats runs in the eighth before Yates relieved him for a five-out save, his seventh of the year, allowing just the walk to Fellhauer in the ninth.

Merrill Kelly earned his first win of the season for Durham. Kelly (1-0) went seven strong innings and did not allow a run, scattering five hits and three walks with four strikeouts.

Out of the pen for the Bats, Lee Hyde and Kevin Whelan went a combined 3.2 scoreless innings, allowing just a hit and striking out seven.

Bats outfielder Chris Heisey, on a Major League rehab assignment from the Cincinnati Reds, went 2-for-3 with a double and is 4-for-7 in his two games with Louisville. Soto (2-for-5) also had multiple hits, including a double, for Louisville.

Louisville outhit Durham 8-5, but fell to 25-9 when finishing with more hits than their opponents. The team also falls to 19-13 when Hamilton steals a base.

The loss sends the Bats' record in one-run games to 11-15 and they yet again have been unable to get above a .500 winning percentage. The Bats were last above .500 after play on April 23 when they were 10-9. They have since been at an even .500 nine times and been unable to get over with a win.

The Bats and Bulls finish their season series tomorrow night from DBAP at 7:05 p.m. Louisville can earn the season split and get back to a .500 record with a win. They will go with righty Armando Galarraga (5-4, 3.06) on the hill. He will be opposed by righty Matt Buschmann (1-0, 2.04) for the Bulls.

Check out the Louisville Bats Statistics



International League Stories from June 20, 2013


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