IL1 Louisville Bats

Smith's Strong Arm Leads to Bats' 8-3 Win

Published on July 5, 2014 under International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release


LOUISVILLE, KY - The Bats moved one step closer to the division lead Saturday night after they defeated the Indianapolis Indians 8-3 at Victory Field.

The Bats fell down early to the Indians but worked their way back in the middle innings to take the lead and secure the victory. Louisville scored two runs in the top of the fourth, sixth, seventh and ninth innings thanks to strong performances by Ruben Gotay, Felix Perez and Donald Lutz.

Lutz helped the Bats take a 4-3 lead when he hit a two-RBI double to center field. The hit scored Gotay and Perez who had two runs each on the night.

The Bats stumbled early by giving up three runs to the Indians in the bottom of the first. Starting right-handed pitcher Josh Smith (9-1, 4.08) gave up runs to the first three batters he faced, although one runner reached on an error, and allowed the Indians to hit-around in the first inning.

Although Smith got off to a rough start, he settled in as the game progressed and pitched a complete game, giving the bullpen the night off. Smith gave up eight hits, three runs, two earned runs, two walks and had six strikeouts. He threw 131 pitches in the game. It was the first time a Bat has pitched a complete-game since August 2013, and it was Smith's first complete-game in his Triple-A career. He received his team-best ninth win of the season, and pitched a season-high for innings in a game.

The Indians took a quick 3-0 victory in the bottom of the first but failed to score the rest of the game. They left runners on base eight times.

It was the top of the fourth when the Bats would finally get on the board. They scored two runs as Gotay and Perez would cross home, and Lutz received his first of three RBIs in the game.

Lutz now has a seven-game hitting streak and now has 16 RBIs in 2014. Rey Navarro moved his hitting streak to 13 games when he hit a double in the top of the sixth inning.

Indianapolis' Nick Kingham (2-1, 1.91) took his first loss of the season after he pitched 6.1 innings, gave up 10 hits, six earned runs but did have six strikeouts. Kingham was relieved in the top of the seventh inning by lefty Jhonathon Ramos (2-3, 4.05) who pitched nearly two innings, gave up two hits and had a strikeout.

With the win the Bats move within two games of the division-leading Indians for the first time since Easter Sunday when the Bats' record was 9-7. The division race is expected to get tight as the Bats narrow the gap, and only 5.5 games separate the last-place Toledo Mud Hens and the division-leader.

The Bats are now 46-43 overall and 23-23 on the road. They will not have to play on the road again until after the all-star break on July 17 when they go to Toledo for a five-game series.

The Bats will return to Louisville tomorrow night at 6:05 to begin a four-game set against division rival, the Toledo Mud Hens. Right-handed pitcher Drew VerHagen (5-7, 3.67) will take the mound for Toledo. He will face-off against Brett Marshall (0-4, 12.94) who will look to get his first win of the 2014 season.

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International League Stories from July 5, 2014


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