LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Louisville Bats (5-8) dropped the rubber game of a three-game series against the Syracuse Chiefs (10-5) on Sunday afternoon at Louisville Slugger Field by a 3-2 score. The game went into 10 innings, the first-ever extra inning affair that has taken place at Louisville Slugger Field
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Louisville Bats (5-8) dropped the rubber game of a three-game series against the Syracuse Chiefs (10-5) on Sunday afternoon at Louisville Slugger Field by a 3-2 score. The game went into 10 innings, the first-ever extra inning affair that has taken place at Louisville Slugger Field since the new International League rules were set prior to the 2018 season.
The Bats held a 2-0 lead in the early part of the game, scoring their first run in the bottom of the second on a bases loaded walk by starting pitcher José López, who had an excellent outing in his first quality start of the year. Lopez (0-2, 5.28) got the no-decision in 6.0 innings of work, holding the Chiefs scoreless on four hits, walking two and striking out five on 92 pitches, 63 strikes.
Right-hander Kevin Shackelford appeared for Louisville on Major League rehab assignment for the Cincinnati Reds, giving up two earned runs on one hit, walking two and striking out two on 25 pitches (12 strikes), recording two outs in the seventh before being pulled for left-hander Kyle Crockett, who allowed the game-tying two-run single to Syracuse outfielder Alejandro De Aza, whose runs batted in were charged to Shackelford.
Right-hander Chris Smith (1-1, 7.11) got the win for Syracuse, pitching 2.0 innings of scoreless relief for the Nationals' Triple-A affiliate. Right-hander Jimmy Herget got the loss for Louisville, giving up an unearned run in the top of the 10th inning that gave the Chiefs a 3-2 lead. Both clubs started the 10th inning with an automatic runner on second base, as the new International League extra innings rule states. Nick Senzel, who went 1-for-5 with his first triple in a Louisville uniform, started the bottom of the 10th on second base, but was thrown out trying to score on a slow ground ball hit to third base.
The Bats fall to 5-8 on the season with three more games left on the homestand. The Charlotte Knights come to town with right-hander Chris Beck (0-0, 2.00) expected to start Monday night at 6:30 for the top farm team of the Chicago White Sox. The Bats will counter with left-hander Justin Nicolino (1-0, 1.64), whose two quality starts are most among Louisville pitchers.
