Bats Drop Series Opener to Indians, 7-1
July 2, 2018 - International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Despite a strong outing from starter Jose Lopez, the Louisville Bats (32-47) were stung by a tough eighth inning, falling, 7-1, to the Indianapolis Indians (44-37) Monday evening at Louisville Slugger Field.
Indians reliever Casey Sadler (4-3, 4.01) earned the win with a hitless 1.1 innings effort, while the loss went to Bats southpaw Brandon Finnegan (2-7, 7.68), who allowed three hits and six runs (two earned) in 0.1 innings. Lopez turned in his fourth quality start of the season, allowing only three hits and one run with six strikeouts and four walks. over six innings of work. Indianapolis starter Alex McRae allowed seven hits and one run with five strikeouts over 5.2 innings.
The Bats struck first in the bottom of the first as second baseman Dilson Herrera reached on a two-out, ground rule double to right, allowing right fielder Gabriel Guerrero to bring him in with a triple to center. Louisville continued to challenge in the early going, but they were unable to convert, stranding two runners in the second and third innings.
In the top of the third, Indianapolis knotted the game as shortstop Kevin Newman doubled and reached third on a fielding error, eventually coming home to score on a sacrifice fly to left from left fielder Adam Frazier. The Indians threatened later in the frame, but Lopez evaded further trouble with a force out to close the inning.
The Bats' offense was unable to find clutch hitting moving forward, despite a Phillip Ervin triple to right in the bottom of the fifth. Monday's game was the second time this season that the Bats have posted two three-baggers. In the sixth, the Bats had runners on the corners with two outs, but pinch-hitter Josh VanMeter popped up behind the plate on the first pitch.
Indianapolis finally broke through in the top of the eighth, plating four against Finnegan. With one out and the bases loaded, pinch-hitter Wyatt Mathisen brought home right fielder Jordan Luplow and second baseman Kevin Kramer with a single to left and subsequent fielding error, one of three for Louisville on the night. In the next at-bat, first baseman Eric Wood extended the lead with a double to center, scoring Mathisen and catcher Ryan Lavarnway. Reliever Jimmy Herget entered for Finnegan and allowed another double from third baseman Sean Rodriguez that tacked on another pair of runs.
The Bats will wrap up their home portion of this series with the Indians Tuesday evening at 6:45 p.m. at Louisville Slugger Field. Right-hander Homer Bailey (0-2, 8.44) will make his third rehab start for Louisville, with right-hander J.T. Brubaker (4-2, 3.66) countering for Indianapolis.
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