Romano and O'Grady Star in Bats Loss to Indians, 7-6
Published on July 1, 2019 under International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Louisville Bats (30-53) fell to the Indianapolis Indians (42-39) by a score of 7-6 in the opener of a three-game series at Louisville Slugger Field. Brian O'Grady launched two homeruns and Bats pitcher Sal Romano didn't allow a hit in his first start of the season.
Fresh off the previous series win against the division-leading Columbus Clippers, Louisville kept the momentum going with a solo shot by Brian O'Grady to give the Bats the lead in the second inning. The homerun counted for the Bats' 400th run of the year.
Neither team could muster any more runs until the fifth, when Christian Colon scored Narciso Crook on an RBI-single to double the lead. Josh VanMeter added another run with a double off the right field wall to increase the lead to three.
Sal Romano (2-7, 5.44) was brilliant in his first start for the Bats this season, registering five strikeouts in 4.0 innings without allowing a hit and only one baserunner. He was replaced by Brad Markey, who kept the Indians hitless until the sixth when Jake Elmore ended the drought and singled to left, and Indianapolis finally got on the board with three runs in the seventh to tie the game.
Alex Blandino hit his first triple of the season in the bottom of the inning and later scored to push the Bats back in front, but the lead was short-lived, as Indianapolis was over their slow start and added four more runs in the eighth to take the lead 7-4. The Bats would not go away, as they tacked on one run in the eighth and one more in the ninth off another O'Grady solo shot.
With O'Grady's second homerun, he has five multi-homerun games this season as of July 1, already breaking the Louisville franchise record of four set by Brandon Cromer, Mike Hessman and also this season, Josh VanMeter. The Bats also now have 18 multi-homerun efforts this season, the most in the International League. The Bats would not be able to score any more runs in the ninth, as they fell to Indianapolis 7-6. Geoff Hartlieb (2-0, 3.43) picked up the win for the Indians, and Jesus Reyes (0-4, 5.04) received the loss for Louisville.
The Bats play the second matchup of the three-game series against Indianapolis on Tuesday. Right hander Tejay Antone (1-1, 7.94) will get the call for the Bats, and he will face off against righty Alex McRae (5-4, 5.07) for the Indians. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m.
International League Stories from July 1, 2019
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- Indians Use Clutch Home Runs to Halt Five-Game Skid - Indianapolis Indians
- Homering 'Pigs Top Bisons, 6-4 - Buffalo Bisons
- Pigs extend win-streak to four games - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Romano and O'Grady Star in Bats Loss to Indians, 7-6 - Louisville Bats
- Toledo Bested by Columbus on Monday - Toledo Mud Hens
- Bulls Comeback Bid Falls Short - Durham Bulls
- Four Gwinnett Bombs Topple Tides - Norfolk Tides
- Daniel Camarena dominates over seven innings as SWB snaps skid - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
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- Game Information: Indianapolis Indians (41-39) at Louisville Bats (30-52) - Indianapolis Indians
- Bisons' LHP Thomas Pannone Named International League Pitcher of the Week - Buffalo Bisons
- International League Players of the Week Named - IL1
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