Bats Drop Marathon on Opening Night
April 7, 2017 - International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Louisville Bats (0-1) dropped an Opening Night marathon to the Columbus Clippers (1-0), 3-2, in 13 innings to start the 2017 campaign at Louisville Slugger Field.
Bats starter RHP Sal Romano found himself in a jam to start the top of the first, loading the bases with two outs. A flyout to left field would end the inning with the bases loaded, while Romano was able to breeze through the second. The first run of the contest came in the top of the third after Romano surrendered two hits to go along with two wild pitches. Columbus would end their half of the third with a 1-0 lead.
Clippers' starter Mike Clevenger held the Bats to a single hit through the first three innings before allowing a 371-foot solo home run to left field by designated hitter Sebastian Elizalde. The blast would tie the contest until the top of the sixth where the Clippers pushed across their second run of the game courtesy of a Bradley Zimmer triple and Richie Schaffer's double that plated Zimmer.
Romano's night came to an end after six innings while allowing two runs on seven hits. The Bats' bullpen was able to hold the Clippers scoreless over the next six innings highlighted by right-hander Evan Mitchell throwing two innings allowing three hits and striking out three, as well as left-hander Lucas Luetge who also went two innings allowing one hit.
The Bats' Juan Perez and Beau Amaral reached on singles to begin the bottom of the ninth. A balk by Columbus righty Joe Colon allowed Perez to score from third, tying the contest at two runs apiece.
After six total base runners reached in innings 10 through 12 for Columbus, the Clippers took a 3-2 lead, the final score, in the top of the 13th courtesy of a leadoff home run by Nellie Rodriguez. The Bats threatened in the bottom half loading the bases with two outs but failed to extend the ball game.
Coming away with the win for the Clippers was left-hander Tyler Olson who went two innings and stuck out three, throwing just 17 pitches. Right-hander Jeff Johnson loaded the bases but managed to get the save after recording the game's final out. Left-hander Alejandro Chacin takes the loss for the Bats after one inning of work, one hit, one run, a walk, and three strikeouts.
Game two of the four-game set with the Clippers is scheduled for Friday with first-pitch at 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Rob Wooten (0-0) takes the mound for the Bats with the left-handed Ryan Merritt on the bump for the Clippers.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
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