Bats Fly Away With Division Title, Defeat Bulls 6-3
Published on August 21, 2008 under International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release
Louisville, KY - Adam Pettyjohn kept the Bulls at bay all night and the offense got three runs in the fourth to help the Louisville Bats earn a 6-3 victory and clinch the West Division Title in front of 8,503 fans. The title is the first since 2003 and Louisville's fourth International League West Division title.
The Bulls got on the board early in the bottom of the first when Jonny Gomes doubled with two and Dan Johnson followed with his 23rd home run of the year, making the score 2-0.
The Bats answered in their half of the inning. Drew T. Anderson tripled off the first base bag, scoring Luis Bolivar from first. The triple was the 54th triple of the season for the Bats, which ties the franchise record set in 1998. It was also Anderson's eighth triple of the year, which is a career high. Kevin Barker then blasted a ground rule double to score Anderson and tie the game at two. The RBI was Barker's 70th RBI of the season as he continues to lead the team.
The Bats broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth. They loaded the bases with nobody out and Craig Tatum blooped a single to center field, scoring Shaun Cumberland and making the score 3-2. Danny Richar and Luis Bolivar then hit two consecutive sacrifice flies to give Louisville a 5-2 lead.
The Bulls got one run back in the top of the sixth, but wouldn't get any closer. The Bats later added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth, which made the final score 6-3.
After giving up the two-run homer in the first, Adam Pettyjohn (14-5, 4.66 ) settled down to pitch eight strong innings, which is tied for his longest outing of the year. He earned his 14th victory of the year and moved into second place all-time in franchise history for wins in a season. He only trails Ralph Citarella, who had 15 wins in Louisville's inaugural 1992 season. Pettyjohn scattered seven hits and struck out seven.
In the ninth, Jon Adkins allowed a leadoff double to Chris Richard but struck out pinch-hitter John Jaso with runners on first and third to end the game and clinch the division title. It was Adkin's 26th save of the season, which leads the International League.
Durham's starter Wade Davis (3-2, 3.07) took the loss for the Bulls. He pitched four innings, allowed six hits, five runs, three walks and struck out four batters.
The 2008 International League Western Division Champs will be back in action tomorrow night for game four of the four-game set with the Durham Bulls. The Bats will send LHP Bobby Livingston (3-2,4.54) to the mound to face RHP Ben Hendrickson (9-8, 4.65) with game time set at 7:05.
International League Stories from August 21, 2008
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- RHP Tomo Ohka Strikes Out Eight and DH Josh Fields Drives in Two - Indianapolis Indians
- Bats Fly Away With Division Title, Defeat Bulls 6-3 - Louisville Bats
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- McCutchen in Sports Illustrated - Indianapolis Indians
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