IL1 Louisville Bats

Bats Extend Winning Streak with 3-1 Win

Published on June 2, 2018 under International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release


LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Powered by another strong starter outing, the Louisville Bats (19-33) topped the Gwinnett Stripers (24-29), 3-1, Saturday evening at Louisville Slugger Field. With the victory, the Bats tied their longest winning streak of the season and clinched a series win for the first time since taking two of three from the Charlotte Knights in late April.

Bats starter Jose Lopez (2-5, 4.19) allowed only three hits and one earned run over seven innings of work, while Kevin Quackenbush picked up his seventh save of the year. Lopez's outing was the fourth-consecutive quality start for Louisville, the first streak of its kind since July 22-25, 2015. The loss was tagged on Gwinnett reliever Jason Hursh, who allowed one earned run on two hits in one inning, sending him to 1-3 for the season. Stripers starter Max Fried allowed one run and two hits with six strikeouts over five innings.

Both offenses were quiet for the first three innings, with only one hit coming from the two sides. The Bats finally threatened in the bottom of the fourth as second baseman Nick Senzel doubled to left and catcher Chadwick Tromp was hit by a pitch, but a strikeout ended the rally. Finally, in the fifth, right fielder Gabriel Guerrero scored from third on a one-out grounder by left fielder Phillip Ervin. On the following play, the inning ended as Trahan was thrown out at home while trying to steal on a pick-off attempt.

Gwinnett tied the game in the next frame as back-to-back singles allowed for catcher Sal Giardina to also score on a grounder. Facing a runner on third, Lopez induced a timely groundout that closed the threat and kept the game squared. In the bottom of the sixth, Louisville regained the lead as Senzel scored on a wild pitch by Hursh. Two innings later, another wild pitch from Stripers reliever David Peterson allowed for first baseman D.J. Peterson to add an insurance run.

The Stripers challenged one last time in the top of the ninth, bringing the tying run to the plate with two outs, but Quackenbush forced a flyout that sealed the win.

At the plate, Senzel led the Bats, going 2-for-3 with a run, while Guerrero turned in a 2-for-4 night with a run of his own. Ervin was hitless in the game, but contributed with a RBI and stolen base.

The Bats will look for their first series sweep of the season as they take on the Stripers Sunday afternoon at Louisville Slugger Field. First pitch is set for 2 p.m., with southpaw Brandon Finnegan (0-4, 5.14) going for Louisville against right-hander Matt Wisler (1-2, 3.90) of Gwinnett.

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International League Stories from June 2, 2018


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