Bats Start Road Trip with 6-3 Win
Published on August 18, 2026 under International League (IL)
Louisville Bats News Release
The Louisville Bats jumped out to a lead in the fourth inning and used timely defense, strong relief pitching, and a big insurance hit late to beat the Indianapolis Indians 6-3 in the opener of a six-game series on Tuesday night.
The teams traded runs early, with Indianapolis scoring first on a Duce Gourson RBI double in the opening frame. The Bats quickly responded in the second as Michael Chavis crushed a 442-foot solo home run way over the left field fence for his 22nd home run of the season.
In the fourth, the Bats loaded the baes with a pair of walks and an infield single. P.J. Higgins cashed in, blooping a single to shallow center to score two runs and put the Bats up 3-1.
Making his second Triple-A relief outing, Johnathan Harmon got some help from his defense. A line drive double play caught a runner off first to end the fourth. Higgins won a challenge to get Harmon a strikeout in a scoreless fifth. Then in the sixth, another line drive double play erased a leadoff walk. However, the Indians got a run back with two outs in the sixth as Joshua Palacios' line drive to left deflected off Ivan Johnson's diving attempt with the glove for an RBI double, making it a 3-2 game.
Harmon's outing ended after throwing 3.0 innings of his own, also giving up one run with two walks and two strikeouts to earn his first Triple-A win. Rehabbing Reds reliever Tony Santillan struck out a pair in a 1-2-3 seventh, his third straight scoreless rehab outing. Then Chase Petty did the same in the eighth, setting down all three batters he faced to keep the 3-2 lead going to the ninth.
A double from Higgins, a walk to Dominic Pitelli, and Francisco Urbaez getting hit by a pitch loaded the bases for the Bats in the ninth. Leo Balcazar then got the insurance the Bats were looking for, crushing a triple to the gap in right-center field to clear the bases and make it 6-2 Bats. It was Balcazar's first triple at the Triple-A level and the Bats' first since June 10 vs. Omaha.
Hunter Parks allowed a run in the bottom of the ninth but was able to wrap up the win for the Bats.
The win is the Bats' first to start a series in their last seven series, with the most recent one coming on July 7 vs. Omaha. It is also the Bats' first road series-opening win in the second half, most recently accomplishing the feat on June 16 at Gwinnett.
Next Game: Wednesday, August 19, 6:35 p.m. E.T. at Indianapolis Indians (Triple-A Affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates)
Probable Pitchers: Bats RHP Jared Lyons (1-4, 5.06) vs. Indians RHP Thomas Harrington (1-6, 6.00)
International League Stories from August 18, 2026
- Knights Stun the RailRiders with Insane Comeback Win - Charlotte Knights
- Jacksonville Takes Series Opener at Memphis in 10 Innings - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- RailRiders Collapse against Charlotte - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Romero Jr. Homers Twice, Red Wings Win Series Opener - Rochester Red Wings
- Clippers Welcome Saints to Town with 19-3 Thumping - Columbus Clippers
- Norfolk Opens Series vs. Nashville With Win - Norfolk Tides
- Walks, Homers Crush Saints in 19-3 Loss to Clippers - St. Paul Saints
- Indians Pitchers Match Season-High 16 Strikeouts, Drop Series Opener - Indianapolis Indians
- Total Team Effort Lifts Mud Hens - Toledo Mud Hens
- Bisons Drop Series Opener to Lehigh Valley - Buffalo Bisons
- Six Scoreless Frames from Chuck King Steers 'Pigs to Series Opening Win in Buffalo - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Bats Start Road Trip with 6-3 Win - Louisville Bats
- WooSox Held to Two Hits in 5-1 Loss in Syracuse - Worcester Red Sox
- Pitre and Amick Debut, Mauricio Records Three-Hit Night, and Curry's Five No-Hit Innings Power Mets over Worcester Tuesday - Syracuse Mets
- I-Cubs Fall in Opener to Toledo, Drop Fourth in a Row - Iowa Cubs
- Stripers' Tuesday Game vs. Durham Postponed Due to Field Conditions - Gwinnett Stripers
- Bisons Meat Raffle Bash with over 160 Winners September 4 - Buffalo Bisons
- August 18 Game Notes: Iowa Cubs at Toledo Mud Hens - Iowa Cubs
- WooSox Game Information - Worcester Red Sox
- Scouting Report: Rochester at Omaha - Rochester Red Wings
- Rochester Red Wings Game Notes - August 18 at Omaha - Rochester Red Wings
- Be Where Your Feet Are: Jonathan Cannon's Journey of Control, Consistency, and Contentment - Charlotte Knights
- Marlins Send Bender on Rehab Assignment with Jumbo Shrimp - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- SWB Game Notes - August 18, 2026 - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- The Best Way to Spread Christmas Cheer: Deck the Diamond Returns to AutoZone Park - Memphis Redbirds
- Hockey Night at ESL Ballpark August 28 - Rochester Red Wings
- We Got'Chew, Lehigh Valley MIKE AND IKE® X 'PIGS Collaboration Unveiled - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
