IL1 Louisville Bats

Louisville Bats Notes: June 28

Published on June 28, 2018 under International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release


BATS WIN ROLLERCOASTER GAME: Louisville defeated Columbus in the series finale Wednesday night by an 11-10 score, with several lead changes and a season-high 5 home runs as a team. The victory gives the Bats their second straight series victory on the road. LOU had multi-homer games from 2 different players in the game for the first time since the 2004 season as the Bats have won 5 of their last 7 road games.

AGAINST TOLEDO: Louisville and Toledo meet for the fifth of eight total series this season, and the third of four at Fifth Third Field. The Bats won their last series against the Mud Hens about a week and a half ago at Toledo, their first road series win of the season. Through 12 matchups, the Hens are 7-5 against the Bats, outscoring them 60-51 and outhomering them 18-6. The Bats' next loss to Toledo will be their 200th loss to the IL West Division foe all-time.

I GOT FIVE ON IT: Louisville hit 5 home runs as a team last night, their most home runs in a game since July 20, 2010 at Charlotte in an 8-4 win. In that game, Juan Francisco, Michael Griffin (2), Wladimir Balentien and Chris Denove all homered for the Bats.

DIL & PHIL: Four of Louisville's five home runs Wednesday night came from two individuals: Dilson Herrera and Phillip Ervin . It was the second and third multi-homer games for the Bats this season, after Nick Senzel hit 2 homers on June 21 vs. Durham. It was the first time that 2 players registered multiple home runs in the same game for the Bats since May 3, 2004. In that game, Jim Chamblee and Dane Sardinha both hit 2 homers in a 12-1 Louisville win at Charlotte.

FOLLOW THE LEADER: Bats leadoff hitters have proven to be an excellent catalyst for the offense in the month of June. Louisville has employed 4 different leadoff hitters in the month: Nick Senzel (11 games...started 12, but batted in 11), Dilson Herrera (5), Mason Williams (5) and Hernan Iribarren (3). Josh VanMeter came in as a substitute for Williams last night in the leadoff spot. Out of the top spot in the batting order in June, the quartet has hit safely in 23 of 24 games, and reached base safely in all 24. They are batting a combined .465 (46-for-99) with 26 runs scored, 9 doubles, 4 home runs, 21 RBI, 12 walks and 4 stolen bases.

INCHING CLOSER: The Bats are 12.5 games back of the IL West Division lead, the first time they have been 12.5 games out or closer since May 19. With a four-game series coming against the division-leading Mud Hens, LOU has a chance to make up some ground. LOU is in the midst of a season-long 18-game streak against divisional opponents, its longest such streak since playing 21 straight to open the 2015 season.

300 RUNS: The Bats scored their 300th run as a team this season when Phillip Ervin crossed the plate after hitting his second home run of the night, a two-run bomb that gave the Bats a 9-7 lead. Last season, Louisville scored its 300th run of the season exactly one year ago to the date yesterday, when Brandon Dixon crossed the plate after hitting a two-run homer in a 7-6 win at Norfolk.

WHAT A RUSSSSSH: The Bats have struggled away from Louisville Slugger Field overall this season with their 10-22 record through their first 32 road games, but have now won 5 of their last 7 road games. The Bats now have back-to-back road series wins for the first time since July-August 2017, when they took two of three at Buffalo (7/28-7/30) and two of three at Durham (8/7-8/9).

ESCAPING THE ELUSIVE 5-RUN CURSE: Twice this season, Louisville has held a 5-run lead and ended up losing the game, on April 28 at Toledo and May 3 at Norfolk. In both of those games, not only did LOU lead by 5, but put together 5-run innings to lead 5-0. Recently, the Bats have held 5-run leads twice in the past week, allowing their opponent to tie, yet prevailed to ultimately win by one run. This scenario occurred June 23 vs. Norfolk, spoiling a 12-7 lead before winning 13-12 (F/10), and last night, spoiling a 5-0 lead before winning 11-10.

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