Bats Sweep Syracuse and Extend Win Streak to Six with 3-1 Win
Published on July 22, 2018 under International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Louisville Bats (41-55) extended their win streak to a season-best six games and closed out a four-game sweep of the Syracuse SkyChiefs (40-59) with a 3-1 victory Sunday afternoon at NBT Bank Stadium. The series sweep is Louisville's second of the season and first four-game sweep since June of 2013 at Norfolk.
Right-handed starting pitcher Keury Mella (2-1, 3.18) earned the victory for the Bats after working a career-best eight innings in his third start of the season for Louisville. Mella struck out four batters and gave up just five hits and one run in the win. The pitcher also recorded his first two hits as a Bat finishing the day 2-for-3 from the plate with a pair of singles.
The SkyCheifs scored their lone run of the game and took their first lead of the four-game series in the first inning when Jose Marmolejos' double-play groundout plated Matt Reynolds. The Bats evened the contest back up in the fourth on a Gabriel Guerrero RBI groundout that scored C.J. McElroy.
In the fifth, Louisville claimed the lead for good on a go-ahead two-run homer by Josh VanMeter. The blast over the right-center field fence was VanMeter's fifth home run of the season and extended his hitting streak to six games.
Louisville closer Kevin Quackenbush (0-1, 2.30) recorded his fifteenth save of the season after recording the final three outs in the ninth.
Syracuse starter Phillips Valdez (3-7, 3.25) suffered the tough-luck loss after tossing seven and one-third innings while giving up six hits and three runs.
Following an off day on Monday, the Bats return to the friendly confines of Louisville Slugger Field on Tuesday to begin a seven-game homestand. Louisville is scheduled to face Buffalo in a doubleheader Tuesday to open a four-game set before welcoming Rochester for the final three games. The Bats and Bison will play the doubleheader to make up one of the three games they had cancelled due to inclement weather on April 16-18 in Buffalo. Right-hander Robert Stephenson (9-6, 3.29) is anticipated to make the start for Louisville while the Bison list lefty Matt Tracy (0-0, 2.65) as their probable starter for game one. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET.
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