Bats Score Seven Unanswered, Win 9-8 In Walk-Off Style
Published on August 19, 2008 under International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release
Louisville, KY - After reeling off six unanswered runs in the final three innings to tie the game at eight, Alvin Colina's walk-off RBI single in the tenth scored Drew Anderson to propel the Louisville Bats to a 9-8 comeback victory against the Durham Bulls on Tuesday evening at Louisville Slugger Field. The win, which lifts Louisville's August record to 16-2, moved the team's magic number to clinch the International League division title to just one game.
Durham controlled the game for the first six innings, building a 6-1 lead in the fifth inning and an 8-2 cushion going into the seventh inning stretch. Three home runs and a solid starting pitching performance by Mitch Talbot helped the Bulls grab the early advantage, as Louisville's only offense through the first six frames were RBI singles by Paul Janish and Adam Rosales, respectively.
With the Bats facing a six-run deficit in the bottom of the seventh, Louisville began its onslaught on the Durham bullpen as Drew Stubbs sent a mammoth two-run blast to left-center to tighten the contest. It was the second home run for the University of Texas product, since being transferred to Louisville from Chattanooga one week ago. Later in the inning, the Bats loaded the bases with two outs, but could only manage one more run, as Luis Bolivar walked to score Anderson before the inning ended with the bases still juiced.
The Bats comeback effort continued in the bottom of the eighth, when Stubbs drove in his third run of the night on an RBI single that scored Danny Richar to make it an 8-6 game. After Rosales laced his second RBI single of the night to make it a one-run contest, Colina smashed a sacrifice fly to center that scored Rosales and tied the score at eight, the game's first tie since the second inning.
The team's combined for 29 hits on the night, as Stubbs and Rosales had three hits each for the Bats, who are now 12-3 in games that have been tied after eight innings. Rosales, who spent a week with the Reds earlier this month, now has a nine-game hitting streak with Louisville, and is hitting a torrid .490 in the month of August.
Despite pitching well, Talbot drew a no-decision for the Bulls, going six innings, giving up six hits and two earned runs. He walked three and struck out eight. Bats starter Matt Maloney also earned a no-decision, giving up a season-high seven earned runs on nine hits, while walking one and striking out three. Maloney has still not been tagged with a loss since June 19th.
Justin Mallett (6-2, 4.53) pitched two innings of no-hit relief to earn the win, while Kurt Birkins (2-3, 6.75) took the loss for the Bulls.
Louisville will look to win their first division championship since 2003 on Wednesday evening against Durham at Louisville Slugger Field in the second of a four-games series. Any combination of a Louisville win or Toledo loss will give the Bats the title. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 P.M., as Bats RHP Ramon Ramirez (3-4, 3.10) will square off against Bulls RHP Jeff Niemann (7-5, 3.83).
International League Stories from August 19, 2008
- Braves upended by Clippers - Gwinnett Stripers
- Tides drop pitcher's duel in extras - Norfolk Tides
- Bats Score Seven Unanswered, Win 9-8 In Walk-Off Style - Louisville Bats
- Brad Eldred Belts Two-Run Homer In Series Opening Win - Indianapolis Indians
- Knights Outlast Indians - Charlotte Knights
- Jason Cooper Sets Bisons Modern Era Record - Buffalo Bisons
- Hens Return Home on Saturday - Toledo Mud Hens
- Bisons Notes - Buffalo Bisons
- Victor Martinez Scheduled to Start for Bisons Tonight at Catcher - Buffalo Bisons
- Jake Tyler Wins Sports Turf Manager Award For Third Straight Year - Toledo Mud Hens
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