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Columbus snuffs Bats' comeback, wins 9-6

By Ben Tompkins
August 21, 2014

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - While it seemed as though the books were closed and the game was won after the Louisville Bats battled back from a 4-1 deficit to enter the ninth inning leading 5-4, Columbus exploded for five runs in its last frame of the game to defeat the Bats 9-6 on Thursday night at Louisville Slugger Field.

The Clippers took an early 1-0 lead in the third inning, but Louisville tied the game in the following inning when Felix Perez hit his team-leading 35th double, scoring Ruben Gotay. Perez, who continues to set career-high numbers with each additional RBI, edged Gotay a run closer to a career-best of his own. Gotay is second in the International League in runs scored (80) and has scored the most runs by a Louisville player since Zack Cozart scored 91 in 2010.

A three-run fifth inning put the Clippers in front 4-1, but a Louisville run scored in the bottom of the fifth and a three-run inning of their own in the seventh gave the Bats the 5-4 nod. Jake Elmore scored the first run of the rally inning when Tucker Barnhart singled to right field, trimming the Columbus lead to 4-3. The tying and go-ahead runs were scored a batter later when Rey Navarro blasted his third homerun of the season to right field.

Three outs away from a win that could have shaved the Clippers' lead in the IL West standings, Columbus popped off for a five-run inning that shifted the lead for the third time of the game and erased the Bats potential come-from-behind win.

Making his fifth start of the season for the Bats, right-hander Mikey O'Brien pitched seven innings while allowing four runs, only one of which were earned, on five hits with a pair of walks and strikeouts. O'Brien did not factor into the decision.

Louisville reliever Fabio Castillo (2-1, 2.50) suffered the loss, allowing three runs off two hits with a walk and two strikeouts. Right-handed closer Justin Freeman suffered the blown save, the 20th of the season from the Louisville bullpen.

Columbus right-hander Zach McAllister delivered a six and two-thirds innings performance and also did not factor into the decision. McAllister allowed four runs off six hits with a walk and two strikeouts. Righty Mark Lowe (5-2, 5.68) was credited with the win and blown save, offering an inning and a third of relief while allowing a run off of one hit.

The Bats will look to split the second of the two-game series tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. when they send right-hander Dylan Axelrod (2-1, 3.06) to face Columbus righty Toru Murata (2-3, 5.91) at Louisville Slugger Field.