IL1 Louisville Bats

Tides Outscore Bats in Record-Setting Game, 16-14

Published on April 26, 2019 under International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release


LOUISVILLE, Ky - Louisville Bats (8-14) and Norfolk Tides (8-14) provided the fireworks on the first Fireworks Friday at Louisville Slugger Field in a 16-14 Tides win. The 30 runs tonight set a ballpark record, surpassing the 28 runs scored on April 13, 2014.

The Tides started the high-scoring affair off in the first inning scoring one off of Sims. Louisville answered in the bottom of the first to knot the score at one thanks to a solo home run off the bat of first baseman Josh VanMeter. It was VanMeter's team-leading seventh home run of the season, and second homer in as many days. Norfolk quickly reclaimed the lead in the second inning as they tallied six more runs, three of them coming off the bat of Christopher Bostick. The Tides would lead 7-1 heading into the third.

Louisville would do their best to answer Norfolk's offense again in the bottom of the second. The Bats offense totaled five runs, started by Bats designated hitter Courtney Hawkins who blasted a two-run shot to deep right-center field. The Bats' comeback would continue as shortstop Blake Trahan, second baseman Sherman Johnson and VanMeter would all hit singles consecutively to load the bases. With two outs, third baseman Christian Colon would drive in two to make the score 8-5.

Norfolk would produce one run in the third inning and two in the fourth to extend their lead to 11-6. Louisville left-handed reliever Ian Krol replaced Jesus Reyes in the fourth to end the inning. Once again the Bats offense would keep pace with the Tides. Catcher Stuart Turner and Trahan would each reach base to put pressure on Rogers. Next batter, second baseman Sherman Johnson would unleash a three-run bomb over the left-field fence to make the score 11-9. Later in the inning, the hot-hitting VanMeter would blast his second home run of the game, a two-run homer also scoring center fielder Nick Senzel to tie things up 11-11. The home run would mark the second time this season VanMeter has multiples home runs in a game. VanMeter would total five hits in the game. It was the first time a Bats player had done so since Scott Schebler did it on July 26, 2016.

Sticking with the record-setting scoring game, Norfolk added on another four runs in the sixth inning. Bostick would drive in two to give him his fourth and fifth RBIs of the game, jumping back out in the lead 13-11. The Tides also added two more runs extending the lead to a score of 15-11. The scoring would slow down briefly in the bottom of the sixth as Norfolk reliever Luis Gonzalez would strike out the side.

The Tides hitters stayed hot in the seventh as Norfolk first baseman Jace Peterson would rope a solo shot over the fence off Bats reliever Sal Romano giving them a 16-11 lead. Bats relief pitcher Matt Bowman would come in to pitch the eighth inning. Bowman would retire all three Norfolk batters in order, marking the first time of the game Norfolk did not score in an inning. Louisville would look to make a comeback in the ninth as Hawkins would double to the wall and put a runner in scoring position. Trahan would then reach on an error by Norfolk third baseman Ryan Mountcastle, putting runners on the corners. Johnson would continue his fireworks from earlier and mash his second three-run homer of the game, making the score 16-14. Tides closer Kline eventually ended the Bats hopeful comeback, earning the save. Luis Gonzalez (1-2) came away with the win, Krol (1-2) picked up the loss.

The Bats continue the three game series vs Norfolk Saturday at 6:30 pm at Louisville Slugger Field. Expected to start for Louisville is right-hander Keury Mella (1-1, 5.06) vs left-hander Luis Ysla (0-2, 4.85) for Norfolk.

Check out the Louisville Bats Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



International League Stories from April 26, 2019


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.

OurSports Central