Bats lose 5-2, split series with Iron Pigs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Louisville dropped the series finale against Lehigh Valley 5-2 and split the four-game series with the Iron Pigs on Sunday afternoon at Louisville Slugger Field.

A three-run seventh inning deadened the Bats as eight Iron Pigs came to the plate in the inning. Five of the eight batters recorded a hit, all of them singles, against two Bats pitchers.

Pedro Villarreal (3-2, 3.98) was charged with all three of the runs and the loss, as he allowed five hits in one and one-third of an inning. Justin Freeman was going to replace Villarreal, but during his warm-up tosses he came down with an unknown injury. He exited the game immediately before throwing a pitch.

Getting the start and remaining winless was left-hander David Holmberg. After falling in his first four starts of the season, he has earned a no-decision each of his last seven starts. He pitched five innings, allowed one run on five hits, walked three and struck out two. This is the first Bats loss in a Holmberg start since May 12 at home against Pawtucket. The Bats had won his previous six starts.

Making the spot-start for scratched starter Jason Marquis was left-hander Jeremy Horst. Horst in his spot start pitched three innings, allowed a pair of runs on four hits, walked one and struck out two.

Earning the win for Lehigh Valley was righty Hector Neris (3-2, 6.03). Neris made a relief appearance in the sixth, working two innings of scoreless baseball. The Iron Pigs took the lead in the seventh giving him the win in the scorebook.

Right fielder Steve Selsky was 1-for-3 and axtended his hit streak to six games. His streak is the longest on the club as Felix Perez went hitless ending his eight-game hit streak.

Remaining hot at the plate for the Iron Pigs was second baseman Tyler Henson. He finished the day 4-for-4 with a walk. He ended the four-game series, 9-for-17 against the Bats.

Louisville falls back to three games over .500 at (50-47) and will enjoy their next three days off for the International League All-Star Break. The Bats will be back in action on Thursday, July 17 in Toledo at 7:00 p.m. Right-hander Josh Smith (9-2, 4.07) will get the ball for Louisville, while the Mud Hens starter is TBA.