IL1 Louisville Bats

Game Notes: Louisville Bats (32-53) at Columbus Clippers (52-32)

July 4, 2019 - International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release


Game 86, Away 42

Louisville Bats (32-53) at Columbus Clippers (52-32)

RHP Lucas Sims (4-0, 5.24) vs. RHP Mitch Talbot (2-0, 5.70)

7:05 PM | Thursday, July 4, 2019 | Huntington Park

LISTEN: Nick Curran, 790 KRD; iHeartRadio.com; TuneIn

I THINK IT WAS THE FOURTH OF JULY:The Louisville Bats travel to Columbus to face the Clippers in a four-game series heading into the 2019 All-Star break. Louisville is coming off its first set of back-to-back series victories, taking 2 of 3 from Columbus and most recently Indianapolis, finishing out their season-long homestand at Louisville Slugger Field with a 4-4 record. Tonight, right-hander Lucas Sims gets the ball as the Bats look to keep it rolling at Huntington Park.

AGAINST COLUMBUS:The Bats and Clippers meet for the 11th time tonight, with the season series even to this point at 5-5.Louisville has outscored the Clip Show this season by a 56-52 advantage, with each of the last 2 games being one-run Louisville victories. Coming into Thursday night, the clubs are still scheduled for 14 more games this season, with the next 10 coming at Huntington Park.

WINNING WAYS:The Bats have now won 4 of their last 5 games, their third such stretch of 2019, also occurring from April 7-11 and May 26-31, winning 5 of 6 in the latter stretch, their best of the season. LOU goes for its third straight win tonight, which would tie a season-high win streak, occurring 3 times this season: April 9-11, May 4-7 and May 29-31.

THE AQUINO SHOW:Right fielder Aristides Aquino went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run, 2 walks and 2 stolen bases in Wednesday's 7-6 win, clubbing his 19th homer of the season. He became the first Bat with a home run and 2+ stolen bases in the same game since Darnell Sweeney on August 30, 2017 vs. Indianapolis.

- With his 19th blast of the season, Aquino is one away from joining teammate Brian O'Grady (20) to become just the fifth duo in franchise history to hit 20+ homers in a season, and most recently since 2002 (Brandon Larson, 25, and Kevin Witt, 24).

VANMETER RECALLED:The Cincinnati Reds recalled infielder/outfielder Josh VanMeter today, placing LHP Amir Garrett (left lat strain) on the 10-day injured list. In 14 games since rejoining the Bats on June 20 after being optioned by Cincinnati, VanMeter is batting .393 (22-for-56) with 12 runs, 8 doubles, one home run, 10 RBI, 4 walks and getting on base at a .443 clip with a 1.032 OPS.

FIRST INNING RUNS:Through 44 games at Louisville Slugger Field this season, there have been runs scored in the first inning in 33 of them (75%). Both teams have scored in the first in 7 games, including last night when Indianapolis scored 3 in the top of the first and Louisville answered with 2 runs. Louisville has scored in the first in 18 of their home games, while their opponent has scored in exactly half of them (22). The only series at Louisville Slugger Field this season where no first inning runs were scored took place from May 7-9 against the Syracuse Mets.

HE DOES IT ALL:In addition to getting the win on the mound last night, Bats starting pitcher Keury Mella went 1-for-2 with a bases-clearing double, his first 3 RBI of the season as he raised his batting average to .294 (5-for-17) this year. He's accounted for each of the 2 extra-base hits by Louisville pitchers this season, also doubling on April 21 at Indianapolis. Last night, he had more RBI (3) in a swing of the bat than any Bats pitcher totaled for all of last season, with Brandon Finnegan and Domingo Tapia leading the 2018 club with 2 RBI.

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