Bats Power Past Iowa 7-1 on Friday Night
Published on April 28, 2023 under International League (IL)
Louisville Bats News Release
DES MOINES, IA -- Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Matt McLain and Chuckie Robinson combine for eight hits and three homers to power the Louisville Bats (9-15) 7-1 over the Iowa Cubs (14-8) on Friday night.
The first lead of the ballgame would belong to the Bats in the top of the second thanks to a solo home run from Christian Encarnacion-Strand, his fourth homer in the last three days. A Will Benson walk and an Iowa throwing error set the Bats up with runners on first and third and just one out, but they were unable to bring another run across, taking a 1-0 lead.
Iowa would get to Louisville starter Kevin Herget (0-1, 5.40) for a run in the bottom of the second, but it would be his only blemish. Herget would go four innings, allowing three hits and the lone earned run, striking out three and walking one in his second start of the season.
Encarnacion-Strand led off the top of the fourth inning with a single, followed by a pair of walks to load the bases. A wild pitch brought Encarnacion-Strand home before Chuckie Robinson stepped to the plate and cleared the bases with a three-run homer to extend the Bats lead to 5-1.
In the sixth inning, back-to-back one out base hits from Nick Martini and Robinson had Louisville in position to further extend its lead. Alejo Lopez brought Martini home with a sacrifice fly to center field, pushing the lead to five at 6-1.
The Bats tacked on one final insurance run in the top of the seventh courtesy of Matt McLain's team-leading seventh home run of the season, giving Louisville a 7-1 advantage.
Louisville needed just two pitchers to complete the game as righty Ben Lively (3-0, 2.57) came on in relief of Herget to toss the final five innings and earn the win, striking out three and surrendering just one hit to finish off the 7-1 Louisville victory.
The Bats and I-Cubs will continue their six-game series on Saturday, April 29, with first pitch scheduled for a 4:08 pm E.T. Southpaw Brandon Williamson (1-1, 4.42) will get take the bump for Louisville, facing off against right-hander Nick Neidert (1-1, 4.40) for Iowa.
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