Hopper, Stubbs Strike Early, Bats Hold On 7-5
May 26, 2009 - International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release
After it took the Bats eight-plus innings to get their first base runner last night, they wasted no time getting things started tonight in the 7-5 win over the Pawtucket Red Sox. The top of the order consisting of Norris Hopper and Drew Stubbs went a combined 5-9 with two doubles and four RBI's in front of 7,022 fans at Louisville Slugger Field.
The Bats got rolling in the first inning led by a lead-off bunt single by Hopper and Stubbs' team-leading 15th double of the season. With one out, Wes Bankston knocked a single to right to bring home Hopper and give the Bats an early 1-0 lead. Hopper finished the game 3-5 while Stubbs went 2-4.
The Paw Sox leveled the score in the second inning. Dusty Brown reached to lead off the inning on an infield single and moved to second a one-out-single by Angel Chavez. Jonathan Van Every then flew out to deep center, allowing Brown to move to third. The next hitter, Gil Velazquez, worked a full count and prior to the pay-off pitch, Bats' starter Adam Pettyjohn was called for a balk attempting a pick-off to first base thus allowing Brown to score.
Louisville re-captured the momentum in their half of the second, once again fueled by the top of the lineup. After reaching on an error, Eric Eymann scored on Hopper's RBI-double. Stubbs then followed with a RBI-single to left, pushing the Bats' lead to two.
The game was blown open in the third as the Bats put a four-spot on the scoreboard. Danny Dorn drew a one-out walk and Michael Griffin hit his second triple of the season to push across Dorn. Danny Richar then singled home Griffin. Following a double to left by Craig Tatum, Hopper struck again, lifting a single to right to bring home two more runs and making the score 7-1.
The Paw Sox would battle back with two in the seventh and two in the eighth, highlighted by Van Every's fourth home run of the season, a two-run blast to left that pulled the Paw Sox within two.
Louisville starter Adam Pettyjohn (1-5, 4.35) went 6.1 innings to pick up his first win of season. A season ago he tied a franchise-high with 15 wins. He gave up two runs while scattering nine hits and striking out three.
Pawtucket starter Kris Johnson (2-6, 7.41) was knocked out after only 2.2 innings to earn the loss. He gave up seven runs, five earned, while giving up nine hits, walking one, and striking out four.
Bats' reliever Pedro Viola worked a scoreless inning-and-a-third to nail down his third save in as many opportunities.
The four-game series will continue tomorrow morning as the Bats host their third education day of the season at 11:05 a.m. Starting for the Bats will be Matt Maloney (3-2, 2.28) and for the Paw Sox Charlie Zink (3-4, 4.36) will get the start.
• Discuss this story on the International League message board...
International League Stories from May 26, 2009
- Gwinnett Outlasts Indianapolis 2-1 in Extras - Indianapolis Indians
- Bulls Fall 5-2 At Rochester - Durham Bulls
- Hopper, Stubbs Strike Early, Bats Hold On 7-5 - Louisville Bats
- "I Hate To Admit It.But I Like It" Day at Gwinnett Stadium - Gwinnett Stripers
- Rain Postpones Game - Syracuse Mets
- SWB Yankees and Syracuse Chiefs will try again Wednesday - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees
- Mets Select Contract of Bisons OF Fernando Martinez - Buffalo Bisons
- Orioles Select Contract on RHP Berken - Norfolk Tides
- Bisons Notes - Lehigh Valley at Buffalo - Buffalo Bisons
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
