Mella Dazzles, Bats Win 4-0
Published on May 31, 2019 under International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release
NORFOLK, Va. - The Louisville Bats (23-31) beat the Norfolk Tides (22-30) Friday night in the first game of a three-game road series at Harbor Park, by a score of 4-0. Bats' starting pitcher Keury Mella (4-4, 4.71) dazzled in the shutout as he picked up his second straight win. With the win, Louisville has now won a season-best five of their last six games.
Quite the pitcher's duel throughout most the game, Mella's strong outing started in the first inning, as he kept the Tides from scoring early. It was the third consecutive game in which the Bats have not allowed a run to score in the first inning. The Bats' offense started the scoring off in the second inning, where Aristides Aquino led off with a double, then scored thanks to a throwing error by Tides pitcher Tyler Herb (3-3, 4.15).
While on the mound, Mella would keep the Tides offense quiet. Mella tossed 7 complete innings, giving up just four hits, one walk and striking out seven. Not to be outdone, Tides starter Tyler Herb also hurled 7 complete innings, allowing five hits, two walks and striking out four Louisville batters. Replacing Herb to start the eighth was reliever Chandler Shepherd.
Lasting just two-thirds of an inning, the Bats' offense got to Shepherd often, extending the Louisville lead. Phillip Ervin reached base on a single, extending his hitting streak to five games, then scoring on a Nick Longhi double. Ervin finished the game 2-for-3 with a run. Aquino would follow Longhi with an RBI of his own, to make it a 3-0 Bats lead. Aquino finished the game scoring twice and went 2-for-4 at the plate, extending his hitting streak to a personal-best nine games. Shortstop Blake Trahan then drove in Aquino on a single, putting the Bats in front 4-0. Trahan also had a nice day at the plate going 3-for-4 with an RBI.
Bats reliever Jesus Reyes entered the game for Mella to start the eighth. Reyes picked up where Mella left off, having a nice appearance of his own. Reyes twirled two innings, and struck out two. It was the Bats' fourth shutout win and first since shutting out the Syracuse Mets on the road, by a score of 2-0 on May 15.
The Bats look to make it four-straight wins, continuing their three-game road series at Norfolk Saturday at Harbor Park. Bats righty Vladimir Gutierrez (2-4, 8.43) will toe the rubber, facing off vs Tides left-hander Keegan Akin (3-2, 3.70).
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