Bats one-hit in loss to Stripers, 6-0

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - The Louisville Bats (52-65) dropped the opening game of a three-game series with the Gwinnett Stripers (56-61) by a 6-0 score on Monday night at Coolray Field.

Gwinnett starting pitcher, right-hander Kyle Wright (2-1, 2.89) was excellent from the jump, going 7.0 innings and allowing just one hit, walking one and striking out eight. Louisville's lone hit against Wright came in the top of the fifth on catcher Tim Federowicz's single, which was the first hit of the game for both teams.
The Stripers' offense got going in the home half of the fifth, scoring a pair of runs, both charged to reliever Jesús Reyes. Reyes walked four batters in 2.2 innings out of the bullpen.
Right-hander Jackson Stephens started for Louisville in a spot start after originally scheduled starter, left-hander Cody Reed was recalled to Cincinnati. Stephens, who made his third Major League rehab appearance and first start, went 2.0 clean frames, striking out three on 22 pitches, 16 strikes.
Gwinnett proceeded to collect more runs against Louisville's bullpen, scoring three in the sixth off Tanner Rainey, and one more in the seventh off Jimmy Herget to take a 6-0 lead.
With the loss, the Bats have been defeated in shutout fashion twice in a row for the first time since July 13-14, 2017 at Indianapolis. Prior to the Bats' two most recent games, they had only been shut out twice all season.
The Bats and Stripers are back at it Tuesday night for game two of the three-game set. Right-hander Tyler Mahle (0-1, 4.50) is set to make his second start for Louisville this season. Gwinnett will counter with right-hander Wes Parsons (6-2, 3.03) with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m.