Tatum's Three-Run Blast Carries Bats, Defeat Clippers 5-1
Published on April 12, 2009 under International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release
Louisville, KY - On a beautiful Easter Sunday, the Louisville Bats took the series finale over the Columbus Clippers, 5-1 in front of 5,969 fans at Louisville Slugger Field. Chris Valaika had a two-run homerun and Craig Tatum had a three-run homerun to extend the Bats' winning streak to three games, after dropping the season opener on Thursday night.
Bats' starter Ben Jukich (1-0, 1.80) got the victory, scattering six hits on only one earned run through five innings. He walked three and struck out three.
Clippers' starter Kirk Saarloos (0-1, 7.50) took the loss. He went six innings, allowing seven hits, five runs, all of them earned, while walking one and striking out seven.
The Clippers jumped on the board early as Wes Hodges, who finished the game 2-for-5, connected on a two-out double in the top of the first. Michael Aubrey followed with an RBI bloop single, giving the Clippers an early 1-0 lead.
The lead was short-lived, as the Bats jumped on top for good in the bottom of the first, thanks to a two-run home run off the bat of Chris Valaika. A leadoff walk by Drew Stubbs set up Valaika's bomb, a 361-foot shot off of Saarloos, giving the Bats a 2-1 edge.
The Clippers threatened in the top of the third with a leadoff walk issued to Michael Brantley. Luis Valbuena followed with a bunt single to the right side of the infield, just between Jukich and first baseman Danny Dorn. Jukich then battled back to get the next two batters, before walking Michael Aubrey. However, the Bats got out of the jam as Stephen Head grounded out to Dorn to retire the side.
One out into the fourt, Saarloos had retired nine of the last 10 batters faced. However, consecutive singles by Adam Rosales and Dorn began a rally. Craig Tatum then hit a line-drive blast over the left-field wall, giving the Bats a 5-1 lead. Tatum finished 2-for-4 with a home run and three runs batted in.
It was a day of firsts for the Bats, as Valaika and Dorn recorded their first Triple-A hit and Tatum recorded his first Triple-A home run.
In the top half of the seventh inning, Bats' reliever Robert Manuel loaded the bases, giving up singles to Brantley and Hodges, and by hitting Aubrey. With one out, Manuel managed to strike out Clippers' left fielder, Chris Gimenez. Rick Sweet then went back to the bullpen, bringing on lefty-reliever, Bill Bray, to face lefty Stephen Head. Bray proceeded to strike out Head on three pitches to end the inning.
Columbus managed nine hits, but left a staggering 11 runners on base.
Bats' relievers, Manuel, Bray, and Josh Roenicke pitched a combined four innings of shutout baseball to ensure the Bats' victory.
The Bats will continue this home stand when they face the Toledo Mud Hens, the triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, at 7:05 on Monday night. Probable starting pitchers for this match-up will be RHP Sam Lecure (9-7, 3.42 '08 w/ Chattanooga) for the Bats vs. RHP Ruddy Lugo (7-12, 5.36 '08 w/ New Orleans).
International League Stories from April 12, 2009
- Ray stings Norfolk in walk-off win - Durham Bulls
- Walker's RBI Double in the 14th Gives Indians 3-2 Win Over Toledo - Indianapolis Indians
- Knights Rally Fall Short to Braves - Charlotte Knights
- Tatum's Three-Run Blast Carries Bats, Defeat Clippers 5-1 - Louisville Bats
- Bisons Notes - Buffalo Bisons
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