IL1 Louisville Bats

Rain Impedes, Clippers Succeed in Finale

Published on August 22, 2014 under International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release


LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Columbus Clippers weren't affected by the rain as they defeated the Louisville Bats 5-2 in the season finale between the two teams at Louisville Slugger Field on Friday night (Saturday morning).

A 2:31 minute rain delay, the fourth longest in Louisville franchise history, delayed the start of tonight's game. However, it didn't take Columbus long after the 9:36 p.m. start to get on the scoreboard as shortstop Francisco Lindor hit a leadoff single and later scored on a throwing error by second baseman Hernan Iribarren.

The Clippers extended the lead to 2-0 in the top of the third inning when Lindor scored for the second time on center fielder James Ramsey's sacrifice fly. Louisville starter Dylan Axelrod then settled down nicely to retire 11 consecutive Clippers faced from the fourth inning to the seventh inning.

All in all, Axelrod (2-2, 2.99) pitched seven innings and allowed two earned runs on four hits with two walks and eight strikeouts but suffered the tough-luck loss. In his last two starts at Louisville Slugger Field, Axelrod has allowed only two runs on six hits with three walks and 13 strikeouts in 16 inning pitched.

Louisville cut the Clippers' lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning after left fielder Steve Selsky, who entered the game for Donald Lutz in the top of the third, hit a leadoff double and scored on Felix Perez' sacrifice fly to deep left-center field. It was Perez' team-leading 69th RBI of the season and his fifth in the last three games.

Columbus tacked on two insurance runs in the top of the eighth inning behind a pair of RBI doubles by Ramsey and first baseman Audy Ciriaco and pushed its lead to 4-1. They tacked on another in the ninth to extend the lead to 5-1 before Louisville responded to score in the home half and make the score the eventual final of 5-2. Shortstop Francisco Lindor led the way for the Clippers as he finished the night 4-for-5 with three runs, his first career four-hit game at the Triple-A level.

Opposite Axelrod, right-hander Toru Murata (3-3, 5.52) earned the win after allowing one earned run on four hits with four walks and two strikeouts in five and two-third innings pitched. In five games versus Louisville this season, Murata is now 2-0 with a 2.51 ERA.

Louisville will travel to Toledo to take on the Mud Hens in a three-game series beginning tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. Right-hander Brett Marshall (0-9, 7.49) will toe the rubber for the Bats and face left-hander Kyle Lobstein (9-11, 4.07).

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International League Stories from August 22, 2014


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