Bats get started early, win late

LOUISVILLE, KY - A two-run eighth inning gave Louisville a 6-5 victory on Wednesday night against the Gwinnett Braves at Louisville Slugger Field.

The Bats came into the bottom of the eighth inning with the score tied 4-4. Neftali Soto hit a double giving Louisville their first hit since the third inning. From there, the Bats loaded the bases and the Braves eventually walked pinch-hitter Thomas Neal to bring Soto home for the lead. Kristopher Negron singled in Donald Lutz to make the score 6-4.

The scoring came early for the Bats as they struck first in the bottom of the first inning. Ruben Gotay scored after a six-three groundout by Soto. The Bats gave up the advantage in the top of the third inning, however, after giving up four straight singles to the Braves and allowing three runners to cross.

The Braves took a 3-1 lead in the top of the third inning after they hit four consecutive singles to start the inning. Gwinnett brought their first three batters of the inning home.

The Bats brought three runs across in the bottom of the third after two consecutive wild pitches from Gus Schlosser. The first wild pitch would bring in Gotay in and move Felix Perez to third base, and the second wild pitch would bring Perez home.

Left-hander David Holmberg (0-4, 9.41) started the game for the Bats and pitched four complete innings, gave up eight hits, two earned runs, issued four walks and had one strikeout in the game.

Braves starting right-handed pitcher Gus Schlosser (3-2, 4.85) gave a solid performance for his team. He pitched six innings, gave up four hits and four earned runs, four walks and had three strikeouts.

Right-hander Adam Russell (2-0, 3.05) came on to pitch in the eighth inning and received the win for the Bats. He gave up two hits, an earned run, a walk and had one strikeout in his one and two-thirds innings innings pitched. Righty Elvin Ramirez made his Louisville Bats 2014 debut in the top of the ninth with two outs to secure his first save of the season, and the Bats victory. It was a season-high four-straight victories at LSF, and have won seven of their last 11 in June.

The Braves scored one run off of Russell in the top of the ninth with two outs but could not tie the game. Gwinnett doubled the Bats total in hits, but still left 14 runners on-base.

The Bats move to 33-34, and the Braves fell to 33-32. Louisville will face-off against the Braves again tomorrow night at 7:05 at LSF. Righty Josh Smith (6-1, 3.77) is set to start for the Bats, and right-hander Yunesky Maya (2-1, 2.79) will take the mound for Gwinnett.