Bats Clinch 5-4 Walk-Off Win
June 1, 2018 - International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release
Louisville, Ky. - After a slow start from both sides, the Louisville Bats (17-33) rallied past the Scranton Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (24-28) with a walk-off win to take the final game of the series. The Louisville offense dug deep to overcome a late comeback effort and take the game, 5-4 in 11 innings.
In his fifth quality start of the season, Robert Stephenson delivered a strong and consistent game. He went six innings, allowing three hits and two earned runs while walking four and striking out six on 101 pitches (61 strikes). Evan Mitchell earned the win. Mitchell, who has not allowed a run since May 20th against Norfolk rounded up the final two innings with a strikeout.
On the other side, Scranton's Giovanny Gallegos (0-1, 7.36) took the loss. He pitched 1.1 innings, allowing one hit and one unearned run, while walking two and striking out one.
The first run of the game came from the RailRiders in the fourth inning after Clint Frazier doubled to left field. Brandon Drury followed up with a line drive single to score Frazier and take a 1-0 lead.
The RailRiders then threatened again in the top of the fifth with runners at first and second, but a well-executed double play ended the frame. In the bottom, Gabriel Guerrero smacked a deep double and then took advantage of a wild pitch on the next play to get home and make it 1-1.
While Scranton's McKinney recorded his third RBI of the season to score Mike Ford at the top of the sixth, the Bats offense exploded in response. Hernan Iribarren, who has now recorded 399 hits as a Louisville Bat began the frame with a double and Dilson Herrera then followed up with a single. With players at second and first, Nick Senzel stepped in and crushed another double to center field to score his teammates and push the Bats ahead. But it wasn't over yet. Before the inning's end, center fielder Mason Williams smacked a line drive single to score Senzel and make it a three-run inning.
Scranton attempted a comeback in the final two innings. As a result of back-to-back walks, a Ryan McBroom line drive single ultimately scored Brandon Drury. In the ninth, with two outs and two strikes, a wild pitch scored Tyler Wade to tie it up 4-4.
It was Blake Trahan who ultimately stole the show in the 11th inning. With bases loaded, he connected for a ground ball to score Josh VanMeter and steal the win.
At 11 innings and 3 hours and 44 minutes, the game was the longest of the season thus far.
The Bats remain home for the weekend, taking on the Gwinnett Stripers for a three-game series. Louisville lefty, Justin Nicolino (2-2, 4.13) will face Gwinnett southpaw Kolby Allard (4-1, 2.09). First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m.
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- Bats Clinch 5-4 Walk-Off Win - Louisville Bats
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