Bats drop series finale 7-2 to IronPigs

ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Lehigh Valley was able to salvage the finale of a four-game series, defeating Louisville on Friday night 7-2 at Coca-Cola Park.

Making his 2014 and Reds organization debut was right-hander Brett Marshall (0-1, 13.50). Marshall pitched one and one-third innings, allowed two runs on no hits, and walked five, including a bases loaded walk.

Marshall would exit the game and slated starter Josh Smith (3.77) would take over. He pitched three and two-thirds innings, allowed five runs, on four hits, four walks and struck out four IronPigs.

Louisville pitching allowed ten walks on the night. Add that with last nights total and they have walked 16 over the last 17 innings. The 10 walks in a game ties the season high for Bats pitching. Louisville pitchers walked 10 on April 28 in Buffalo.

Offensively for the Bats center fielder Jason Bourgeois extended his hitting streak to eight games after a 1-for-4 night at the plate. Kristopher Negron has the current team high hitting streak of nine in a row but he was not in the lineup on Friday night. Felix Perez saw his eighth home run of the season fly over the right field wall and now has the team lead in RBI with 41.

In the series finale the IronPigs called on Sean O'Sullivan (3-5, 4.06) to try and salvage a game in the series. He pitched seven-plus innings, allowed one run on five hits, walked one batter and struck out three. He threw 95 pitches, 65 of them for a strike.

The Lehigh Valley offense seemed to be on base all night long as every starter but Jim Murphy reached base in the game. Six out of the nine starters drew at least one walk in the game.

Trevor Bell made his first rehab appearance of the 2014 season. He pitched one inning, and walked a batter and struck out one.

Louisville (31-31) will travel to Pawtucket (30-33) to begin a four-game series with the PawSox tomorrow at 6:05 p.m. Jair Jurrjens (1-0, 1.80) will make his second start of the season opposing right-hander Matt Barnes (1-4, 5.01).