Hamilton Homers, Bats Sweep Tides
Published on June 16, 2013 under International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release
NORFOLK, Va.-Billy Hamilton hit a homerun on the second pitch of the game to give Louisville (35-35) the lone run of the afternoon. Sunday's win brought the Bats back to .500 for the first time since May 30, and marked their first ever four-game sweep of Norfolk (38-32) at Harbor Park.
Sunday's pitching match-up featured Louisville's Chad Reineke (6-3, 3.44 ERA) facing off with Chris Jones (2-2, 3.24 ERA), who was making a spot-start for Norfolk. Reineke faced this same Tides lineup on June 5 in Louisville, when he allowed two runs in his five innings pitched in the no decision.
Hamilton's leadoff homerun to leftfield was his fourth homerun of the season, and second leadoff homer. Louisville improved to 28-10 this season when scoring first.
After a scoreless bottom half of the inning, Nevin Ashley got things going for Louisville in the second, drilling a one-out double down the left field line. However, Corky Miller and Kristopher Negron would each ground out to third to keep Ashley stranded.
Reineke got into some trouble in the second inning, after allowing the first two runners to reach base. Buck Britton singled to begin the inning, extending his current hitting streak to 12 games. After allowing a free pass to Zelous Wheeler, his second walk in as many innings, Reineke would settle down to get out of the jam. Reineke struck out Chris Snyder and induced an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play off the bat of Brandon Wood.
The third inning was a mirror image of the second inning for Reineke. After Luis Expositio led off with a single for the Tides, Reineke struck out Xavier Avery and got L.J. Hoes to ground into a 6-4-3 double play.
Corky Miller led off the fifth inning with a double off the leftfield wall, narrowly missing a homerun by a matter of feet. Miller now has 95 career doubles in a Louisville uniform, and is now just two behind Kevin Barker for the franchise record. After advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt by Negron, Miller was thrown out at home on a fielder's choice. Hamilton, who reached first on the play, advanced to third base following a pick-off attempt by Jones. Emmanuel Burriss grounded out to end the inning, stranding the Bats' fourth runner on the day.
Adam Russell relieved Jones in the sixth inning. Jones was excellent after allowing the leadoff homerun to Hamilton. Jones final line was: 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB and 4 K's.
Avery led off the sixth inning with a bunt single, as Norfolk looked to even the score. Avery went on to steal second, his seventh stolen base this season in eight attempts. With another runner in scoring position, Reineke was able to put another zero on the board, as he retired the next three batters.
Louisville's Lee Hyde began the seventh inning to face the left-handed Britton. Hyde threw just one pitch in his appearance, getting Britton to lineout to shortstop, before being relieved by Jose Arredondo.
Reineke was brilliant throughout, avoiding trouble time and time again. Reineke (6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, and 4 K's) continued his success against the Tides this season. In his two appearances against Norfolk this season, Reineke's numbers are 11 IP, 10 H, 2 R, 5 BB, and 7 K's.
Louisville squandered an opportunity to play add-on in the eighth inning. Hamilton led off the inning with a drag bunt down the first base line. After advancing to second base on s sacrifice bunt by Burriss. Hamilton went on to steal third base for his International League-leading 43rd stolen base. Hamilton is now 43-for-50 in steals attempts, and has stolen third base 17 times. Louisville is now 20-12 in games in which Hamilton has a stolen base. Henry Rodriguez and Denis Phipps were retired in order to end the inning, leaving Hamilton stranded.
Felix Perez started the ninth off with a single down the right field line. After a sacrifice bunt by Donald, Ashley reached on an error to give Louisville runners on the corners. Miller grounded into a 5-4-3 inning-ending double play, as the Bats stranded seven runners on base in the game.
Louisville's bullpen continued their successes, throwing three shutout innings. The arms of Hyde, Arredondo, Zach Duke and Nick Christiani combined for 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, and a strikeout.
The Bats allowed just one run in the last 27 innings, outscoring Norfolk 9-4 in the sweep. Louisville improved to 5-3 against the Tides this season, the first time they have won the season-series since 2010.
Louisville, who is now 18-14 on the road this season, will head to Durham where they open a four-games series tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. The Bats split the four-game series with the Bulls last week in Louisville.
International League Stories from June 16, 2013
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- Hamilton Homers, Bats Sweep Tides - Louisville Bats
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- Wil Myers Gets the Call to the Majors - Durham Bulls
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- Red Sox Select Pedro Beato to Active Roster - Pawtucket Red Sox
- Norfolk Bats Silent in 1-0 Loss to Louisville - Norfolk Tides
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- SWB Game Notes - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Rochester Red Wings Game Notes - Rochester Red Wings
- IronPigs Game Notes - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Bisons Notes - Buffalo at Pawtucket (1:05 p.m.) - Buffalo Bisons
- Reynolds Leads Bats to 4th Straight Win - Louisville Bats
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