IL Louisville Bats

Bats Lose Heartbreaker 7-6 in the Ninth

Published on April 14, 2023 under International League (IL)
Louisville Bats News Release


TOLEDO, OH - Five Bats recorded multi-hit nights, but the strong offense wasn't enough as Louisville (2-11) dropped a heartbreaker in the ninth inning, falling 7-6 to the Toledo MudHens (9-4) on Friday night at Fifth Third Field.

Once again, the Bats got on the board first against Toledo, scoring a run in the opening frame of the game. Reds rehabber Joey Votto drove a two out single into right field to get the scoring effort started. In the following at-bat, Matt McLain lined a double to center field, scoring Votto from first to give Louisville an early 1-0 lead.

Toledo took advantage of two walks and a wild pitch in the home half of the first, scoring a run on a sacrifice fly to even the score, 1-1.

In the top of the second, Matt Reynolds roped a one out double down the left field line to get the offense started. After another out, Chuckie Robinson stepped to the plate and delivered a double of his own to score Reynolds and give the Bats the lead again at 2-1.

The MudHens didn't answer again until the bottom of the third, scoring a run on a pair of base hits to tie the game 2-2.

Louisville took the lead once again in the next frame. With one away, Alex McGarry laced a single into the outfield before advancing to second on a bobble by the Toledo outfielder. In the next at-bat, Robinson collected his second hit of the night, poking a single to left field, moving McGarry to third. The Bats would finally bring the run home as Michael Siani sent a ball deep enough into the outfield for a sacrifice fly, retaking the lead 3-2.

A home run in the bottom of the inning would give the MudHens the answer they needed to keep the game deadlocked at 3-3.

The Bats finally started to pull away in the top of the fifth inning. Will Benson kept the inning alive, drawing a walk after two quick outs started the inning. Benson stole second to get into scoring position before Nick Martini drew a walk of his own. Reynolds followed with a single to left, scoring Benson. McGarry kept the hit train rolling, driving a double to the wall to score Martini and give Louisville its largest lead of the night to that point, going up 5-3.

Reds rehabber Luke Weaver (0-0, 3.00) finished his night in the following frame. Weaver turned in five solid innings in his second rehab start, giving up three runs on three hits with five strikeouts and two walks.

Louisville added one more insurance run in the eighth as Votto knocked a double to center field to put the Bats up 6-3.

In the bottom of the ninth, Toledo pulled off the improbable, scoring four runs on three hits, three walks and a sacrifice fly to walk off the Bats, 7-6.

Votto, McLain, Reynolds, McGarry and Robinson combined for 11 of the 12 Louisville hits, each recording multiple hits on the night.

Louisville and Toledo will continue the six-game series with game five tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, April 15, with first pitch set for 4:05 pm E.T. Righty Chase Anderson (0-1, 3.60) will get the ball for the Bats, taking on fellow righty Alex Faedo (0-0, 2.57) who will take the hill for the MudHens.

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International League Stories from April 14, 2023


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