IL1 Louisville Bats

Bats Rip Two Grand Slams, Crush Indians

Published on August 9, 2007 under International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release


LOUISVILLE, KY-Paul Janish and Aaron Herr hit a pair of grand slams Thursday night to power Louisville (58-61) to a 16-1 win over Indianapolis (60-57). A crowd of 7,122 braved the scorching heat to witness the second multi-grand slam game in Bats history.

Janish cranked a 352-foot shot down the left field line in the second inning to put the Bats up 5-0. It was the first grand slam of his career. Herr hit his slam in the bottom of the fourth to give the home team a 10-0 advantage. Janish added a double in the seventh to finish 2-for-5.

The Bats came within inches of their third grand slam of the evening when Joey Votto slapped a 3-2 pitch to opposite field, barely missing the foul pole. Votto singled the next pitch up the middle scoring two, pushing the lead to 13-1. The next batter, Herr, cranked his second home run of the evening, this one of the three-run variety, giving him seven RBI in the game, a career high.

Ironically, Louisville's first multi-grand slam game came on May 15, 1984 against Indianapolis, as Gary Rajsich and Mark Salas each went deep for the Redbirds.

Indians' right fielder Steven Pearce hit a solo home run in the sixth inning. This is the third consecutive game Pearce has hit a home run, all coming at Louisville Slugger Field against the Bats. Pearce went 1-for-3 with a walk.

Starting pitcher Richie Gardner (4-4, 5.36) earned the win for the Bats. Lost in the offensive explosion by the Bats, Gardner turned in a solid effort, going 5.2 innings, allowing only three hits and one earned run. He also struck out three. Reliever Todd Coffey pitched 2.1 innings of scoreless ball, surrendering only one hit. Coffey got into the act tonight, knocking home his first career RBI in the seventh inning, in only his fifth career at bat.

RHP Marty McLeary (4-5, 4.52) takes the loss for Indianapolis. McLeary was pulled after only 2.0 innings, giving up six runs, five of them earned, including the Janish slam.

The Bats will try to continue their hot hitting tomorrow night in the finale of the four-game series versus Indianapolis. RHP Tom Shearn (5-10, 4.33) takes the mound for Louisville. The Indians hand the ball to RHP Victor Zambrano (3-2, 7.40) who will try to find an answer to the Louisville offense. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.

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International League Stories from August 9, 2007


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