IL1 Louisville Bats

O'Grady Saves the Day in 5-2 Bats Win

Published on August 1, 2018 under International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release


Toledo, Ohio. - In their final meeting of the year at Fifth Third Park, the Louisville Bats (48-58) went neck and neck with the Toledo Mud Hens (56-52) until a lights-out ninth inning propelled the Bats ahead to steal their fifth consecutive series win for the first time since 2010.

In his organizational debut, starting pitcher Matt Wisler (0-0, 4.20) was extremely solid on the mound. He allowed just one earned run off five hits in five innings of work while striking out five on 69 pitches (43 strikes). Going into the fourth inning, Wisler had retired nine straight Toledo hitters. Tanner Rainey (5-1, 1.22) entered in relief to earn the win and protect the Louisville lead. He went one inning while striking out one.

In a game of constant lead changes, Blake Trahan set the tone of the night, striking a single in his first at-bat to extend his hitting streak to eight consecutive games. Unable to score, it was Toledo who edged ahead first in the following frame. With a runner at second, Christin Stewart connected for a line drive single to score Jacob Robson to go up by one.

The Bats delivered in the fifth to steal the lead. C.J. McElroy bunted to make it to first and then stole second as Scott Schebler was walked. With runners on the corners, Gabriel Guerrero continued his crushing streak and singled on a ground ball to score McElroy to tie the game. In typical Bats fashion, the momentum continued down the line-up. D.J. Peterson connected for his team-leading 23rd double of the season to score both Schebler and Guerrero to put the Bats ahead 3-1.

The Mud Hens wouldn't go down without a fight and began to crawl back in the sixth. With a runner plated after being hit by a pitch, Christin Stewart and Dawel Lugo both singled to load the bases. Jason Krizan then grounded into a force out to score and get Toledo back within one.

With runners still at the corners, Mikie Mahtook doubled to score Christin Stewart and tie the game at three apiece.

With an eerie silence falling over the seventh and eighth innings, both teams were held scoreless heading into the ninth. It was Louisville who then stood up to take the game by storm. The first error committed in the game pushed Chadwick Tromp to first base when Hernan Iribarren then stepped up for a pinch-hit double to plate two runners. Ultimately, Brian O'Grady bit the bullet and went for the win. On a 0-2 pitch with two-out, O'Grady crushed a two-run single to score Tromp and Iribarren to take a 5-3 lead from which Toledo would never recover.

Kevin Quackenbush closed out the game recording his 18th save of the season. The Louisville Bats have now won 13 of their last 16 games.

The Bats remain on the road and will travel to Columbus Ohio to face the Clippers on Thursday night. Left-hander Cody Reed (3-8, 4.35) will face Clippers righty Shao-Ching Chiang (3-1, 5.28) in game one of a three-game series. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m.

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International League Stories from August 1, 2018


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