Bats bested in Star Wars Night pitchers' duel, 1-0

LOUISVILLE, KY - The Louisville Bats (44-67) have fallen to the Indianapolis Indians (60-52), 1-0, in the series opener on Star Wars Night at Louisville Slugger Field.
Friday night's game proved to be a pitchers' duel with both teams' starters lasting at least seven innings and earning quality starts. The game time was two hours and seven minutes, the shortest duration of the 2017 season.
Cody Reed took the mound for the Bats and his impressive outing ended after seven innings in which he surrendered only one run. Along with his 90 pitches thrown, Reed relinquished five hits and walked four, while striking out five.
The Indians started right-hander Nick Kingham, who kept the Bats scoreless through seven and two-thirds innings. Louisville scraped across just three hits and three walks against the hurler.
Indianapolis opened the second inning by putting runners on second and third. Christopher Bostick then grounded out, bringing in a run and giving the Indians an early 1-0 lead.
Both teams would stay offensively quiet for the remainder of the game, with Austin Brice and Jimmy Herget coming in to pitch the final two scoreless innings in relief. Brandon Dixon sent a ball to deep right field to open the ninth, but it came up just a little short and the Bats ultimately fell 1-0.
The Louisville Bats will take on Indianapolis again on Saturday at 6:35 p.m. at Louisville Slugger Field for game two of the series. Pitching for the Bats will be right-hander Jackson Stephens (7-6, 5.05 ERA), and righty Tyler Glasnow (6-0, 1.46 ERA) will take the mound for the Indians.