IL1 Louisville Bats

Big Sixth Inning Sparks Bats 6-1 Victory over Lehigh Valley

Published on August 8, 2019 under International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release


ALLENTOWN, Pa. - The Louisville Bats (48-68) were victorious Thursday night beating the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (55-59) by a score of 6-1. In the win, Bats shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez would record his first career Triple-A hit in a six-run sixth inning, finishing the game going 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored.

Making his third start of the season, Louisville right-hander Jesus Reyes (0-4, 4.73) provided the Bats with another solid outing, giving up just one run, a solo homer to Lehigh Valley's Nick Williams in the first inning. Reyes would pitch 4.1 innings scattering five hits, walking three and striking out three. In his three starts on the season, Reyes has a 0.79 ERA as he has allowed just one run in 11.1 innings pitched.

The Bats' offense was quiet for the first five innings of the game recording just one hit, but broke the scoring open in the sixth sending ten batters to the plate. With one out, and pinch-hitting for the second time of the series, Keury Mella was issued a four-pitch walk and would be followed by a Narciso Crook single, with both eventually taking another base thanks to a wild pitch by Lehigh Valley starter Enyel De Los Santos (5-6, 3.96).

After the wild pitch, Rodriguez doubled to score both runners, recording his first career Triple-A hit in his second start with Louisville. Christian Colon then had a double of his own trading places with Rodriguez to take a 3-1 lead. Colon's double is his 31st of the season. After Rob Refsnyder and Alex Blandino reached on a walk and hit by pitch, Nick Longhi would hit the third double of the inning clearing the bases and extending the Louisville lead to 6-1.

In relief of Reyes, Tim Collins, Jackson Stephens and Joe Mantiply would produce a very good outing for the bullpen combing to hurl 4.2 scoreless innings. Lehigh Valley's offense threatened to cut into the Louisville lead late in the seventh by loading the bases, but Stephens would work his way out of the jam unscathed keeping the five-run lead intact. Collins picked up the win for Louisville, his first of the season, while De Los Santos took the loss.

The Bats will continue their road trip opening up a three-game series at Rochester (59-57) Friday night at 7:05 pm. Righty Vladimir Gutierrez (3-10, 6.90) is expected to make the start for Louisville, while Rochester's starter has yet to be named.

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