Bats fall 4-3
April 29, 2008 - International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release
LOUISVILLE, KY - The Louisville Bats were narrowly defeated 4-3 on Tuesday evening by the Toledo Mud Hens. With the win, the Mud Hens moved their winning streak to seven games, and extended their division lead over the second-place Bats to two-and-a-half games.
In the top of the third, Bats starting pitcher Justin Lehr got out of a one-out, bases loaded jam by striking out the league's top two home run leaders, Mike Hessman and Jeff Larish. In the bottom half of the inning, the Bats got on the board when Jay Bruce scored Luis Bolivar on a groundout, his team-leading 18th RBI of the season. Bolivar, who was re-called from AA Chattanooga a week ago, had two hits on the night, his first of the season in a Bats uniform.
In the top of the fifth, Derek Watham of the Mud Hens hit a blast to right field that was first ruled a ground-rule double. However, the double was eventually changed to a home run, after a brief meeting by the umpires. The home run was the first of the year for Watham. Larish added his league-leading 22nd RBI later in the inning to give the Mud Hens a 2-1 lead.
After falling behind 4-1 in the sixth, the Bats mounted a rally in the bottom of the seventh. Ryan Hanigan doubled down the right field line and scored Drew Anderson, who led the Bats' offensive attack with three hits on the night. Later in the inning, Chris Dickerson added an RBI groundout that scored Hanigan to make it a 4-3 game heading into the eighth. Dickerson, who also stole his team-leading eighth base of the season, is now in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak, and currently ranks fifth on the team with 10 RBIs.
Despite striking out a season-high nine batters, Lehr (3-1, 2.20) was dealt the loss for the Bats. He gave up four earned runs and eight hits, while walking two. For Toledo, Eddie Bonine (5-0, 3.06) became the first International League pitcher this year to earn his fifth win, as he went six innings and gave up three earned runs and eight hits, striking out eight and walking none. Blaine Neal worked the ninth for the Mud Hens, earning his league-leading ninth save of the season.
Tyler Pelland worked two and one-third innings of scoreless relief for the Bats, while Cincinnati Reds reliever David Weathers pitched a perfect ninth inning in a rehabilitation appearance.
The Bats and Mud Hens will complete their two-game series on Wednesday afternoon with an 11:05 a.m. start time. RHP Homer Bailey (3-2, 1.95) will take the mound for Louisville, while LHP Jon Connolly (0-2, 6.23) will go for the Mud Hens.
International League Stories from April 29, 2008
- Clippers roll to 8-1 win over Indy - Indianapolis Indians
- Bats fall 4-3 - Louisville Bats
- Mason earns first win as Bulls down Richmond - Durham Bulls
- Bulls Blank Braves - Gwinnett Stripers
- Wings Rally to Win - Rochester Red Wings
- Eldred's HR Blast Lifts Knights Over Tides - Charlotte Knights
- Bisons Notes 4/29/08 -Scranton/WB At Buffalo (6:05 p.m.) - Buffalo Bisons
- O's Recall Olson, McCrory; Fahey Optioned & Aquino Designated - Norfolk Tides
- Mike Hampton to rehab in Durham on Wednesday - Durham Bulls
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