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IL1 Louisville Bats

Bats Fall in Extras to IronPigs, 7-6

August 11, 2018 - International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release


LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Bested by a late rally, the Louisville Bats (52-63) dropped a marathon 7-6 contest to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (71-47) in 10 innings Saturday evening at Louisville Slugger Field. The Bats nearly tied the game in the extra frame, but a strikeout finished the night with the tying run 90 feet from home.

Bats reliever Tanner Rainey (5-2, 1.99) earned the loss, while the victory went to IronPigs hurler Hector Neris (2-0, 1.45). Louisville starter Justin Nicolino went four innings, allowing six hits and three runs with seven strikeouts. In relief, Matt Wisler turned in another strong outing, only giving up two hits in two innings. Making his Triple-A debut for the IronPigs, Harold Arauz allowed nine hits and five runs with four strikeouts in 3.2 innings of work. In extras, Lehigh Valley closer Pedro Beato picked up his league-leading 30th save of the season.

The action opened briskly for both teams with the first inning lasting 37 minutes. After a strikeout to begin the game, five consecutive base hits allowed Lehigh Valley to build a 3-0 lead. With the bases loaded, Nicolino evaded further damage with another strikeout to end the frame. In the bottom half, the Bats rapidly loaded the bases themselves, allowing for C.J. McElroy to score from third on a sacrifice fly to right from D.J. Peterson.

Following a quiet second inning, Louisville threatened with runners on the corners following a pair of base hits, but a strikeout ended the chance. The Bats would take advantage in the subsequent inning, beginning with a solo home run to left by Taylor Sparks. After a Justin Nicolino single, Blake Trahan tied the game with a line drive to right, advancing to third on the throw. On the next pitch, Gabriel Guerrero put the Bats ahead and chased Arauz with a massive homer to right, his second-consecutive game with a round-tripper and his team-leading 16th of the season.

The Bats' offense continued to click in the fifth as Wisler picked up his first hit of the season, a RBI liner to right with bases loaded that scored Peterson. Wisler's hit marked a rare instance of two Bats pitchers racking up a hit in a game. The run proved to be Louisville's final of the game as later insurance opportunities came up short.

In the top of the eighth, the IronPigs' bats revved up against new reliever Jimmy Herget as back-to-back singles and a wild pitch set up a prime scoring opportunity. Danny Ortiz promptly took advantage of the situation, clearing the bags with a long double to center. Two batters later, the IronPigs knotted up the game at six apiece as Ortiz scored via a misplayed grounder by Trahan on a double play attempt.

In the tenth, designated runner Zach Green was quickly advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt, before scoring on a line drive single to center from Ortiz. In the bottom half, pinch hitter Chadwick Tromp was struck by a high pitch, giving the Bats two on, but he was tagged out overrunning second on a McElroy single. With runner Josh VanMeter at third, Beato ended the night with a strikeout of Trahan. For Louisville, Saturday's defeat was only the fourth this season when leading after seven innings.

The Bats will go for the series victory in a rubber match Sunday afternoon at Louisville Slugger Field. Right-hander Jose Lopez (5-10, 4.47) will start for Louisville, with southpaw Cole Irvin (10-3, 2.77) counter for Lehigh Valley. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.

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