Bats Caught in Charlotte\'s Web, 9-8
August 3, 2004 - International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release
Louisville, KYâ Austin Kearns began a Major League rehab assignment with the Bats tonight at Louisville Slugger Field. However, his presence in right field wasn't enough as the Bats took it on the chin to the tune of 9-8. The Bats came back several times in the game, but couldn't do it in the ninth as they fall to eight games under the five hundred mark, their lowest of the season. A base running error in the ninth cost the Bats a chance to tie the game when Stephen Smitherman was caught in a rundown between third and home to end the game.
Charlotte wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in this first of two games against Louisville. The Knights second baseman Mike Bell hit a two-run home run in the first inning, followed by an RBI single by Mario Valenzuela to give Charlotte the early 3-0 lead.
The Bats battled back in the bottom of the second inning scoring three times on Steve Lomasney's two-run triple, and Kenny Kelly's sacrifice fly to get the Bats within one run at 4-3. Jim Chamblee's RBI single in the third inning tied the game 4-4.
In the seventh, former Bats center fielder Reggie Taylor came back to hurt his old club with a RBI single that broke the tie, giving Charlotte a 6-5 lead. Bats reliever Brian Reith loaded the bases and Mario Valenzuela hit a sacrifice fly to make the game 7-5. However, Reith was able to get an inning ending double play to keep the Bats in striking distance.
The Knights opened a gap in the eighth, scoring two runs on an Anderson Machado error at shortstop. The Knights then took a 9-6 lead, which is all they would need to close out the victory.
Jung Keun Bong started for Louisville, going only two innings, allowing four runs on four hits. Only two of the runs were earned for Bong who left the game due to pain in his left shoulder. Juan Cerros came on in relief of Bong, putting on an impressive performance going three and two-thirds innings, allowing one unearned run. Reith (1-3) recorded the loss.
Josh Stewart (8-7) started for Charlotte lasting six innings while picking up the win. He gave up five runs (three earned) on nine hits.
The time of tonight's game was 3:12 and the attendance was 8,671. The Bats and Knights will conclude a two-game series on Wednesday, August 4th at 7:15 p.m. at Louisville Slugger Field. The starting pitchers will be RHP Luke Hudson (1-0, 1.29) for Louisville, and RHP Felix Dias (9-2, 3.18) for Charlotte.
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