Bats Tie Franchise Record For Victories In April
Published on April 30, 2008 under International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release
LOUISVILLE, KY - The Louisville Bats 4-3 victory over the Toledo Mud Hens tied a franchise record of 16 wins for the month of April. A rare 11:05 a.m. start for Education Day brought in 8,346 fans, most of which were teachers and students.
RHP Homer Bailey (4-2, 2.29) had another solid outing, striking out ten in the Bats 16th victory of the year. The soon to be 22-year old pitched seven innings, walked two, allowed five hits and three earned runs in his fourth victory of the year.
In the bottom of the third inning the Bats recorded two runs, both unearned. Jay Bruce ripped an RBI triple off the right field wall, scoring Andy Green for the first run. Then designated hitter Andy Phillips came up to the plate and brought Bruce home with a sacrifice fly to give the Bat an early 2-0 lead.
The Mud Hens closed the gap to 2-1 after Jackson Melian hit a broken bat grounder to short, forcing the runner at second and scoring Clete Thomas. Two innings later, Toledo took the lead as Erick Almonte hit a two-run home run to left-center off of Homer Bailey. Bailey kept the damage minimal by striking out Derek Wathan to end the inning.
Toledo's lead was short lived. In the bottom of the seventh, shortshop Paul Janish took advantage of a bases loaded situation by blasting a two-run single past the glove of third baseman Erick Almonte, scoring Luis Bolivar and Chris Dickerson, putting the Bats in front for good, 4-3.
Louisville never looked back as the Bats' bullpen was solid once again. LHP Danny Herrera came in the eighth inning and pitched 1.1 innings, allowing only one hit. Jon Atkins then closed the door in the ninth, securing the Bats victory and his fourth save of the season in the process.
Toledo's John Connolly (0-3, 6.23) was effective but remains winless for the season. He pitched 6.2 innings, allowing eight hits, two earned runs and one strikeout.
Tomorrow Louisville will hit the road to battle the Richmond Braves in a four-game series at 7:00 p.m. Lefty Matt Maloney (2-1,6.65) will take the to hill for the Bats versus Richmond's LHP Damian Moss (1-1,2.87).
International League Stories from April 30, 2008
- Homestand Starts Thursday - Norfolk Tides
- Clippers Cut Down Tribe 6-4 - Indianapolis Indians
- PawSox Top Wings 4-2 - Rochester Red Wings
- Bats Tie Franchise Record For Victories In April - Louisville Bats
- Knights Ride Out Win Over Tides - Charlotte Knights
- Talbot Gets Donuts For Breakfast In Bulls Win - Durham Bulls
- Hens Return Home For Eight-Game Homestand On Thursday - Toledo Mud Hens
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