Bats defeated late in game two, 2-1
COLUMBUS, Oh. - The Louisville Bats dropped game two of Saturday's doubleheader against Columbus as the Clippers walked off with a 2-1 win at Huntington Park.
Both teams scored one a piece in the third inning and the score would remain the same until the bottom of the ninth. After Columbus loaded the bases in the ninth, the Bats would bring in Kristopher Negron as the fifth in-fielder for extra assistance. However, he would not be of much help after a walk-off single from Columbus' Audy Ciriaco would drive in the winning run for the Clippers.
Columbus' right-handed starter Toru Murata would pitch seven innings with four hits, two walks and three strikeouts. Lefty Nick Hagadone (2-3, 3.09) would relieve him and earn the win.
Right hander Pedro Villarreal made his first start of the season for the Bats and was very impressive to say the least. He pitched four solid innings, allowing one run on three hits and one strikeout, but would not factor into the decision.
Louisville planned on using their bullpen frequently in tonight's game and they did just that. Nick Christiani relieved Villarreal in the fifth inning and allowed only two hits and one walk with one strikeout. Columbus would threaten to take the lead in the seventh with a leadoff triple by Giovanny Urshela, but Lee Hyde and Chad Rogers would combine to strikeout the next three batters and end the threat.
Jose Diaz (2-2, 1.85) made his return from the temporary inactive list in the eighth inning and retired the Clippers in order. However, a throwing error from Diaz to second in the ninth would end up being costly for the Bats and lead to Diaz being handed the loss.
Negron extended his on base streak to 22 games and hitting streak to six games after a leadoff double in the third inning. He would go 1-for-2.
Louisville will return to Louisville Slugger Field tomorrow to face Columbus at 7:05 p.m. Right hander Josh Smith (6-1, 3.29) will take the mound for the Bats against Columbus' right hander Kyle Davies (2-2, 4.40).