IL1 Louisville Bats

Chiefs Use a Pair of 4-Run Innings to Down Bats 8-3

July 21, 2008 - International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release


Louisville, KY - The Syracuse Chiefs scored all eight of their runs in a two inning span and defeated the Louisville Bats 8-3 in front of 6,911 fans at Louisville Slugger Field. A four-run fifth and sixth inning, aided by a strong pitching performance from David Purcey, helped the Chiefs snap a five game losing streak and hand the Bats a series opening loss.

For the first four innings of the game, Bats starting pitcher Bobby Livingston matched Purcey, as both held the opposing offenses' scoreless. Livingston had allowed only two hits and struck out four over the first four frames, but ran into trouble in the fifth. With one out, Chiefs designated hitter Russ Adams drew a walk and advanced to third on an Erik Kratz double. The next batter, shortstop Pedro Lopez, hit a come-backer to Livingston who threw home when Adams broke from third. After a short run-down, Bats third baseman Luis Bolivar mishandled a throw allowing Adams to score. Kratz and Lopez were chased home when right fielder Wayne Lydon singled to right making the score 3-0. The Chiefs added one more in the inning when Buck Coats tripled, scoring Lydon, and putting the Bats behind 4-0.

The Bats answered in the bottom of the fifth, putting up two runs of their own against Purcey. With one out, shortstop Paul Janish doubled to deep center. Two batters later Michael Griffin hit a double of his own, scoring Janish with the Bats first run. Adam Rosales then legged out an infield single to second, and a throwing error by Danny Sandoval allowed Griffin to score cutting the Chiefs lead to 4-2.

The Syracuse offense stayed hot in the very next inning as Sandoval led off the sixth with a double and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. Adams then flied out to deep center, allowing Sandoval to score the Chief's fifth run. With two outs in the inning, Kratz drew a walk and advanced to second on a Lopez single. The Bats went to the bullpen replacing Livingston with reliever Marcus McBeth. Unfortunately, McBeth couldn't slow the Chiefs. Lyndon picked up his second RBI of the game when he doubled to right, and Coats added two more RBI's of his own when he singled to center making the score 8-2.

The Bats attempted to get back in the game in the bottom of the seventh against the Syracuse bullpen. B.J. Szymanski led the inning off by launching his first homerun of the season into the left field seats. With two outs, the Bats put together back-to-back singles from Griffin and Rosales. Alvin Colina was then hit by a pitch to load the bases, but Ryan Hanigan flied out to right ending the threat and keeping the score at its final of 8-3.

Livingston (0-1 7.94) was making his first start of the year for the Bats and was hit with the loss. He threw 5.2 innings, giving up eight hits, and seven runs, only five of which were earned. He also walked three and struck out four. Also in the loss for the Bats, right fielder Rob Mackowiak extended his hitting streak to 16 games by going 1-3 with a single. He is now one game shy of the team's season high hitting streak of 17 set by Andy Phillips.

For the Chiefs, Purcey (8-6 2.69) earned his eighth win of the season. He pitched six solid innings, giving up six hits, and two runs, only one of which was earned. He struck out seven and did not walk a batter.

The Bats and Chiefs will get together for game two of this four game series tomorrow night at Louisville Slugger Field. RHP Justin Mallet (4-1 4.38) will start for the Bats against Syracuse RHP (Scott Richmond 0-2 1.67). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

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International League Stories from July 21, 2008


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