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IL1 Louisville Bats

Bats' Comeback Falls Short in 9-8 Loss

August 5, 2018 - International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - Despite a phenomenal comeback, the Louisville Bats (50-60) were unable to clinch their sixth-consecutive series win, falling, 9-8, to the Columbus Clippers (58-54) in a turbulent game Sunday evening at Huntington Park. After trailing 8-3 in the top of the seventh, the Bats posted five runs in the frame to tie the contest before a fielding error in the bottom of the eight allowed for Columbus to score the winning run.

In a highly offensive matchup, Bats right-hander Matt Wisler was terrific in his first relief appearance, allowing no hits and striking out three in three innings of work. Wisler's performance kept the Clippers' offense at bay and facilitated the Bats' late rally.

Columbus reliever Cole Sulser (3-3, 4.46) received the win after allowing two hits and striking out four over 1.2. innings of work. Clippers starter Adam Wilk threw six innings and allowed five hits and three runs (one earned). Louisville southpaw Brandon Finnegan (2-9, 7.31) picked up the loss as he gave up three hits and a run over two innings. Bats starter Justin Nicolino tossed 3+ innings, surrendering 11 hits and eight runs (seven earned) before being ejected in the fourth. The save went to Clippers right-hander Jon Edwards, who allowed a hit while facing the final three batters of the game.

The Bats struck first in the top of the first as right fielder Gabriel Guerrero knocked a line drive home run to left-center, tying D.J. Peterson for the team lead with 14. Leading the Louisville offense, Guerrero went 3-for-4 with two runs. In the bottom half, the Clippers responded quickly against Nicolino, with second baseman Drew Maggi homering to left on the second pitch of the frame. After consecutive singles, right fielder Brandon Barnes scored from third on a throwing error to home by Nicolino. Sunday's game was filled with miscues as both sides combined for six errors, including four by Columbus alone.

In the second, Louisville threatened again as consecutive errors by Maggi and a double by third baseman Taylor Sparks placed two in scoring position, but Wilk induced a grounder to maintain the margin. The Bats loaded the bases in the following inning and were able to tie the game as center fielder C.J. McElroy scored on a double play. The tie proved to be short-lived as four consecutive Clippers base hits scored three more runs, bringing the score to 5-2 after three innings.

Aided by another Columbus error, the Bats narrowed the margin as first baseman Nick Longhi scored on a Josh VanMeter sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth. In the bottom half, Nicolino allowed back-to-back singles, followed by a Barnes homer to left that was ruled fair by plate umpire Reid Gibbs. The decision angered Nicolino, leading to his ejection by Gibbs and replacement by Wisler, who worked around two walks to begin his strong outing.

After a quiet couple of innings, the Bats embarked on their largest comeback of the season in the seventh, starting with a leadoff walk to second baseman VanMeter. Following a pair of singles, left fielder Brian O'Grady brought home VanMeter and McElroy with a line drive to left before coming home on a double to center from Peterson. With Sulser now in the game for Columbus, catcher Tim Federowicz, making his Bats debut, knotted the game at 8-8 with a line drive double to center. Finnegan replaced Wisler in the bottom frame and put aside a leadoff single to retire the side.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Clippers led off with a single, before Finnegan notched outs on consecutive pitches. With a runner at second, designated hitter Yandy Diaz singled to center and brought in the winning run as McElroy misplayed the ball and picked up an error. In the ninth, Peterson reached on a single, but Edwards sealed the game with a strikeout and popup.

The Bats will return to Louisville for a six-game home stand, beginning Tuesday evening with three games against the Pawtucket Red Sox. In a special "Louisville Mashers" branding game, right-hander Jose Lopez (5-9, 4.51) will toe the rubber in a 7 p.m. start.

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