IL Louisville Bats

Lopez's Heroics Lift Louisville Over Omaha

August 1, 2023 - International League (IL)
Louisville Bats News Release


LOUISVILLE, KY - On a night where they had only two hits entering the ninth inning, the Louisville Bats (54-47) earned their eighth walkoff win of the year with a 3-2 victory to open their series against the Omaha Storm Chasers on Tuesday night.

Alejo Lopez played the hero, recording the winning hit with a double into left center that extended his on-base streak to 32 games, a season-long for a Louisville player and the longest for a Bat since 2010, while also stretching his hitting streak to 13 games.

Down 2-1 entering the home half of the ninth, the Bats got the rally started when Jose Barrero was hit by a pitch with one out and subsequently swiped second base. With the Bats down to their final out, Michael Siani sent a sharp line drive back up the middle to score Barrero and tie the game, setting the stage for Lopez's game-winning hit that scored Siani from first.

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The Bats scored the first run of the game in the second inning with a two-out RBI single off the bat of Eric Yang, who recorded his third RBI of the season to plate Noelvi Marte who had drawn a walk earlier in the frame.

The knock from Yang would provide the only hit for the Bats through the first six innings, but the pitching staff managed to keep the Storm Chasers off the board before allowing two runs in the seventh.

Louisville threatened to even the score in the bottom of the seventh when Yang led off the inning with a double and in the eighth when Marte drew a two-out walk but were unable to tack another run on until Lopez's double in the ninth gave the Bats the victory.

Despite a quiet night from the offense, Louisville got solid performances on the mound from a quartet of pitchers.

Tony Santillan (1-1, 6.19 ERA) earned his first win of the season after tossing a scoreless ninth inning, while Casey Legumina (0-0, 3.86 ERA) and Silvino Bracho (1-1, 4.05 ERA) turned in scoreless innings of relief as well. Connor Phillips drew the start and worked 5.0 shutout innings, allowing only three hits and striking out four.

Tomorrow's contest will feature RHP Brett Kennedy (4-2, 3.66 ERA) of the Bats facing off on the mound with Omaha lefty Cole Ragans (2-1, 4.13 ERA). First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. ET.

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