
Stripers Drop Road Opener in Louisville, 7-6
April 11, 2019 - International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Gwinnett Stripers (4-3) squandered a 4-0 lead and lost to the Louisville Bats (4-4) by a 7-6 score Thursday night in the opening game of the four-game series at Louisville Slugger Field. Andres Blanco went 4-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs in the loss.
Scoring Recap: Gwinnett took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on an RBI single by Blanco off Bats' starting pitcher Keury Mella. The lead was pushed to 4-0 in the top of the second when Blanco (1) hit a three-run homer off Mella. In the second, a two-run homer by the Bats' Aristides Aquino (2) off Stripers' starting pitcher Bryse Wilson cut the lead to 4-2. Raffy Lopez (1) smashed a solo homer in the top of the third to extend the lead to 5-2; however, the Bats scored four unanswered runs off Wilson. A two-run homer by Brian O'Grady (2) in the bottom of the sixth put Gwinnett in a 6-5 hole. O'Grady (3) added a solo shot off Corbin Clouse in the eighth for a 7-5 Louisville lead. The Stripers loaded the bases in the ninth, but were only able to score one run, falling 7-6.
Stripers Stats: Wilson (L, 0-2) pitched 6.0 innings, gave up eight hits and six earned runs on 93 pitches, 64 strikes. Clouse went 2.0 innings with one hit, one earned run and two strikeouts. In addition to Blanco's four-hit night, Rafael Ortega was 3-for-5 with two runs and Lopez was 2-for-4 with a solo homer. Travis Demeritte was 1-for-1 as a pinch hitter.
Bats Stats: Mella lasted only 3.0 innings and gave up six hits and five earned runs in a no-decision. Former Gwinnett and Atlanta pitcher Ian Krol (W, 1-1) pitched 1.1 scoreless innings with one hit and one strikeout for the win. Anthony Bass (S, 1) picked up the save by working out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth. O'Grady was 2-for-4 with two homers and three RBIs. Aquino was 1-for-3 with a homer and three RBIs. Christian Colon was 3-for-4 with two runs.
Postgame Notes: The two teams combined for five home runs in the game. Wilson, the Atlanta Braves' No. 7 prospect according to MLB.com, is now 0-2 with a 7.36 ERA in two starts for the Stripers this season. Gwinnett has now lost nine in a row at Louisville Slugger Field, the last win coming on July 1, 2016.
Next Game (Friday, April 12): Gwinnett at Louisville, 7:00 p.m. at Louisville Slugger Field. RHP Mike Soroka (1-0, 0.00 ERA) for the Stripers vs. RHP Vladimir Gutierrez (1-0, 3.38 ERA) for the Bats. Radio Broadcast: 6:45 p.m. on 97.7 and 93.5 FM "The Other Side of the River."
International League Stories from April 11, 2019
- Indians Win Fourth Straight, Hammer Knights 7-3 - Indianapolis Indians
- Louisville Wins Home Opener against Gwinnett, 7-6 - Louisville Bats
- IronPigs Swing Their Way to Victory in Rochester - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Hens Score Four in Extras to Defeat Tides - Toledo Mud Hens
- Knights Fall to Indians 7-3 on Thursday Night - Charlotte Knights
- Stripers Drop Road Opener in Louisville, 7-6 - Gwinnett Stripers
- Bulls Fall 12-4 in Home Opener - Durham Bulls
- IronPigs swing their way to win in Rochester - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- IronPigs Top Wings in Home Opener - Rochester Red Wings
- Mets Late Rally Not Enough in 3-2 Loss to Red Sox - Syracuse Mets
- PawSox Victorious over Syracuse Mets in Home Opener - Pawtucket Red Sox
- Game Information: Indianapolis Indians (3-3) vs. Charlotte Knights (6-1) - Indianapolis Indians
- Game Notes: Gwinnett Stripers (4-2) at Louisville Bats (3-4) - Louisville Bats
- Vladdy Jr. Rejoins the Bisons - Buffalo Bisons
- Bisons Game Notes - Buffalo at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (7:05 p.m.) - Buffalo Bisons
- Durham Bulls Game Notes - Durham Bulls
- Clutch Hits Lift Pigs to Victory - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Homestand Highlights: Stripers Host First Wet Nose Wednesday and Education Day - Gwinnett Stripers
- Louisville Bats Homestand Notes: April 11-18 - Louisville Bats
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Gwinnett Stripers Stories
- Stripers Shut Out in Both Ends of Doubleheader at Nashville
- Stripers Postponed on Friday Night in Nashville
- Batten's Ninth-Inning Single Helps Stripers Snap Road Skid
- Homestand Highlights: Stripers Welcome Bluey™ to Coolray Field
- Stripers Stifled Again in 6-2 Loss at Nashville

