IL1 Louisville Bats

Bats Take First Home Game After Tough Road Trip

Published on August 23, 2013 under International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release


LOUISVILLE, Ky. - After a long road trip where the Bats (62-71) were only able to salvage a single win, they defeated the Mud Hens (56-77) in the first game of their home stand, 5-2. The bullpen pitched 5.1 solid innings to earn the victory.

Daniel Corcino has had an up-and-down year for the Bats. Corcino, who entered this season as the #4 prospect in the organization, has gotten himself into trouble in his first year at the Triple-A level with the bases on balls. Of late he has pitched much better, corresponding with a lower walk rate. This night was not one of Corcino's better performances, however.

Corcino walked three batters in the first two innings, but was fortunate to allow just one run and escape a bases loaded jam in the second.

The Bats responded in the third inning when Nevin Ashley led off the inning by drawing an 11 pitch walk. After a stolen base and a groundout, Ashley scored on a wild pitch by Mud Hens' starter Jair Jurrjens (L, 6-9) to tie the score at 1-1.

Corcino got into trouble in the fourth when he allowed two more walks. One runner was caught stealing, but after a single Corcino exited in favor of Zach Duke (W, 1-0).

Duke retired the final batter of the inning stranding two Mud Hens, and the score remained tied at one.

Corcino's final line on the night: 3.2 innings pitched, one run on four hits and five walks, with three strikeouts. The 3.2 innings is Corcino's shortest outing in his past 13 starts.

Bats' slugger and former Mud Hen Mike Hessman narrowly missed a home run in the second inning as a line drive turned just foul, but he did not miss in the fifth inning. A Jurrjens fastball left his bat and smashed into the left field foul pole to give the Bats a 2-1 advantage. The homer was number 23 for Hessman this season.

The sixth inning saw Billy Hamilton reach base to start the inning on a bunt, and immediately steal his 73rd base of the season. With 73 stolen bases, Hamilton alone has more stolen bases than three International League teams, including ten more than the series opponent Mud Hens.

Hamilton's stolen base would be productive as the Bats would push across another run on a groundout, making the score 3-1.

Jurrjens, an MLB all-star with the Braves in 2011, lasted six innings and gave up three runs. In Triple-A this year his ERA is 4.83.

The Bats pushed across two insurance runs in the eighth inning, RBIs in succession by Neftali Soto and Felix Perez.

Jose Diaz came on in the ninth with a 5-1 lead and would surrender a solo home run to Ronny Paulino, but was able to cap off an otherwise impressive night for the Bats' bullpen.

The Bats' hottest hitter, Henry Rodriguez, came into the game 27-for-68 (.397) in August and stayed hot in this one. Rodriguez went 2-for-4 and is now hitting a remarkable .403 in the final full month of the Bats' season.

The Bats continue the weekend series tomorrow, and will send RHP Yohan Pino to the mound (4-7, 3.25) to face RHP Jon Link (0-4, 7.20) of the Mud Hens. Game time is set for 7:05pm. Friday night is fireworks night; after the game fans will be able to enjoy a fireworks show.

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International League Stories from August 23, 2013


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