Bats Fall to Mud Hens on Opening Day, 6-4
April 6, 2018 - International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release
The Louisville Bats could not hold on to a pair of early leads, falling to division rival Toledo by a 6-4 score.
The Louisville Bats grabbed an early lead when Rosell Herrera singled in Alex Blandino to give the team a 1-0 advantage in the bottom of the first inning. Toledo would take the lead in the third, before Louisville captured a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the inning on hits by Patrick Kivlehan and Sebastian Elizalde, along with a D.J. Peterson walk and Tony Cruz sacrifice fly.
Robert Stephenson (0-1, 8.44) was stuck with the loss, tossing 5.1 innings while giving up five earned runs on five hits and two home runs, walking four and striking out four. Mike Gerber and Christin Stewart blasted solo homers off Stephenson in the fifth and sixth innings respectively, to give the Hens a 6-3 lead that proved insurmountable.
Top prospect Nick Senzel made his Triple-A debut with Louisville, occupying the two-hole in the batting order and playing second base for the first time as a professional. He had a successful debut, going 2-for-5 and making a few dazzling plays at the keystone.
Right-handed reliever Tanner Rainey also shined in his Louisville debut, striking out the side in order in the eighth inning.
Right-hander Victor Alcantara (1-0, 0.00) got the win for Toledo, tossing 2.1 innings of scoreless ball out of the bullpen. Zac Reininger got the save for Toledo, striking out a pair and giving up a run in the bottom of the ninth.
The Bats and Mud Hens will face off for the middle game of a three-game series on Saturday night, with first pitch slated for 6:30 PM at Louisville Slugger Field. The Bats will start right-hander Jackson Stephens, with the Mud Hens countering with left-hander Chad Bell.
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