IL1 Louisville Bats

Bats Streak Snapped by Bisons in 4-3 Loss

Published on July 26, 2018 under International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release


LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Louisville Bats' (44-56) ninth-inning rally came up short as the Buffalo Bisons (46-51) escaped with a 4-3 win on Thursday night at Louisville Slugger Field. The loss ended the Bats' International League-best nine-game winning streak.

Buffalo scored all four of its runs in the game's first two innings off Bats' starting pitcher Jose Lopez (4-9, 4.83). Gio Urshela's sacrifice-fly plated Rowdy Tellez in the first before a Johnathan Davis double scored Jason Leblebijian and Darnell Sweeny, followed by a single by Richard Urena that brought home Davis.

Lopez worked five and one-third innings and gave up the four early runs while also conceding seven hits in his ninth loss of the season. The right hander did manage to strikeout seven batters on 97 pitches with 67 strikes.

Louisville scored its first run in the game when Chadwick Tromp doubled with one out in the second, advanced to third on a C.J. McElroy groundout, and then scored on a two-out single by Brian O'Grady. The Bats' rally in the third ended as O'Grady was called out attempting to steal second base.

The close call on O'Grady's steal attempt enticed Louisville manager Dick Schofield to come out and argue the call with third-base umpire Ryan Clark, who ultimately ejected the skipper. Schofield has now been ejected twice during the 2018 campaign with the first coming in a 9-6 win at Toledo on April 27.

The Bats scored again in the sixth inning on a Blake Trahan RBI single to cut the lead to 4-2. Back-to-back doubles by Gabriel Guerrero and D.J. Peterson with one out in the ninth helped cut the lead to a single run, but the rally was cut short as Taylor Sparks' long fly-ball into left was caught for the final out.

Bisons starter Nick Tepesch (1-5, 6.46) recorded his first win of the season after working seven innings and giving up just three hits on 78 pitches (54 strikes).

Louisville will continue its homestand on Friday as the Rochester Red Wings (45-55) come to Louisville Slugger Field to begin a three-game series. Right-handed pitcher Keury Mella (2-1,3.18) is expected to start for the Bats as Rochester lists Zack Littell (1-4, 3.63) as their probable starter. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

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International League Stories from July 26, 2018


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