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IL1 Louisville Bats

Bats Drop Rubber Match, 2-1

April 8, 2018 - International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release


LOUISVILLE, Ky. - In the rubber match of their season-opening series, the Toledo Mud Hens (2-1) rode a first-inning home run to a 2-1 victory over the Louisville Bats (1-2) Sunday afternoon at Louisville Slugger Field. Following center fielder Mike Gerber's 408-ft. shot to right, the Mud Hens only mustered five more hits against Bats pitching, but held off a late Louisville rally to seal the series win in front of a crowd of 4,410 spectators.

Toledo right-hander Artie Lewicki picked up his first win of the season, going 5.1 innings while allowing three hits, one earned run and striking out four. For Louisville, Jose Lopez earned the loss, but turned in a solid performance, allowing five hits, two earned runs with five strikeouts over five innings of work. Mud Hens reliever Zac Reininger allowed two on in the ninth, but induced a pop-up to pick up his second save of the young season.

Following a leadoff single from third baseman Ronny Rodriguez to begin the game, Gerber gave Toledo its lone runs of the game with his second homer of the series. Lewicki made quick work of the Bats in the early going, retiring the first eight batters of the game before shortstop Blake Trahan reached on an error with two outs in the third. Louisville would finally pick up its first hit of the contest when first baseman Brandon Dixon singled to center in the fourth.

In the bottom of the fifth, left fielder Tyler Goeddel led off with a double to left, leading to a line drive double from catcher Tony Cruz that scored Goeddel to make it 2-1 Toledo. The Mud Hens would then stem the rally as reliever Blaine Hardy entered the game and retired the final two Bats of the inning.

Toledo's last offensive challenge of the game came in the top of the seventh with two consecutive walks to begin the frame, but Bats southpaw Kyle Crockett retired the side to maintain the score. Crockett allowed only one hit and strike out two over two innings of work.

Despite the timely pitching, the Bats were unable to muster much at the plate until center fielder Mason Williams and Goeddel cracked back-to-back singles with two outs in the ninth. With the winning run on first base, Toledo second baseman Dawel Lugo sealed the game with a running catch of designated hitter D.J. Peterson's pop-up. For the day, Williams and Goeddel both went 2-for-4, with Goeddel tallying Louisville's lone run.

The Bats remain home for a three-game series against the Columbus Clippers, with first pitch scheduled for Monday at 6:30 p.m. Reds left-hander Brandon Finnegan is expected to make a rehab start against Columbus right-hander Alexi Ogando.

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