Iribarren Plays All Nine Positions in Bats Finale
September 3, 2018 - International League (IL) - Louisville Bats News Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - In his potentially final career game, Hernan Iribarren pulled off one of baseball rarest feats as he played all nine positions as the Louisville Bats (61-76) fell, 4-0, to the Indianapolis Indians (73-67) in both team's season finale Monday afternoon at Louisville Slugger Field. Iribarren opened the game behind the plate before beginning to make his around the horn, including a trip to the pitcher's mound in the fifth to face one batter.
Bats starter Jose Lopez (5-13, 4.47) earned the loss as he allowed six hits and four runs with seven strikeouts over six innings of work. For the Indians, Tyler Eppler (13-6, 3.59) took the win as he gave up just three hits and struck out six in a seven-inning outing.
In the game's early going, both teams were quick to swing, with each starter retiring the side in short order. Finally, in the top of the third, the Indians broke through with a leadoff double and walk, eventually loading the bases with one out, but Lopez was able to evade trouble and keep the game scoreless. Lopez was less fortunate in the following inning as first baseman Wyatt Mathisen rocketed a line drive home run over the left-center fence. In the bottom frame, Iribarren became Louisville's first base runner, but he was forced out on a double play.
Iribarren's trek around the diamond went like this: catcher, first base, second base, shortstop, third base, pitcher, third base, left field, center field, right field, before finally returning to second base.
After Lopez retired the leadoff batter in the fifth, Iribarren entered to face Eppler, allowing a ground ball single before returning to third base for the remainder of the inning. The Bats finally earned a base hit in the bottom half as Steve Selsky singled to center. Selsky finished his season with a solid performance, going 2-for-3 with a walk.
The Indians soon sealed the contest in the sixth, opening the inning with consecutive singles before second baseman Erich Weiss homered to right. The Bats attempted to rally twice late in the game, placing two on base in both the seventh and ninth, but the Indians held them off with inning-ending strikeouts. Both pitching staffs tallied high numbers in that category with the teams combining for 18 strikeouts in the game.
With the regular season concluded, the Bats will turn their attention to the offseason before returning for a season of milestones. Louisville will mark both its 20th season at Louisville Slugger Field and as the Triple-A affiliate for the Cincinnati Reds. Opening night is set for Thursday, April 11 against the Gwinnett Stripers, with first pitch set for 7 p.m.
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International League Stories from September 3, 2018
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- Louisville Bats Notes: September 3 - Louisville Bats
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- SWB Game Notes - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
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- Game Information: Indianapolis Indians (72-67) at Louisville Bats (61-75) - Indianapolis Indians
- LHV Game Notes - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
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