Santillan Pitches, Hits Way to Bats Win in Finale

May 23, 2021 - International League (IL)
Louisville Bats News Release

MEMPHIS, TN - Starter Tony Santillan went 5.1 innings with three earned runs and drove in a pair of runs himself, Michael De Leon homered and plated three and the Louisville Bats bullpen prevailed to down the Memphis Redbirds 8-3 Sunday afternoon at AutoZone Park.

Santillan yielded three runs on three solo homers but was otherwise solid, fanning five batters en route to his first career Triple-A win. The Bats' rookie starter has now recorded a 1.86 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 19.1 innings over four starts after entering the day ranked fifth among all Triple-A starters in ERA and eighth in strikeouts-per-nine innings.

Santillan also helped his own cause by driving in Chris Okey and TJ Friedl with a comebacker right up the middle in the sixth inning.

Louisville's starter gave way to Jose De Leon, who cruised through 1.2 hitless innings with four punchouts.

Michael De Leon homered in the third, brought home Brantley Bell on a grounder to second in the sixth inning and wrapped up his effort with a double in the eighth inning. He has now collected each of his four hits this season with two homers and two doubles on the year.

Okey (2-for-5), Friedl (2-for-3) and Errol Robinson (2-for-4) also finished with multi-hit efforts in the win.

The Bats will enjoy a much-deserved day off Monday before returning to Louisville Slugger Field for 12 consecutive home games. Louisville kicks off the homestand Tuesday (May 25) against the Toledo Mud Hens at 6:30 p.m. The two starters have yet to be announced.

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