Hamilton steals three, can't overcome Clippers

LOUISVILLE, Ky - The series opener for the Louisville Bats and Columbus Clippers at Louisville Slugger Field was dominated by the fourth inning, with the Clippers walking away victorious 7-2. A three-run home run by the Columbus' Adam Abraham put the Clippers up 5-0. The Bats could only score two more in the bottom of the fourth and nothing else, giving them their second straight loss after opening the season with three straight wins.

Bats starter Daniel Corcino retired the first nine batters he faced, and then took to the mound in the fourth. After giving up singles to Tim Fedroff and Luis Hernandez, Corcino tossed a wild pitch to advance the runners into scoring position. Matt Carson drove in one on a groundout, and following a walk and strikeout Abraham launched one to the concourse in deep center for a 4-0 lead.

Two fielding errors in one play allowed Juan Diaz to score following a double. Nick Christiani relieved Corcino and retired the final batter to end the inning.

Billy Hamilton hit a blooper to shallow center in the bottom of the fourth, scoring Konrad Schmidt and Ray Chang. Schmidt reached first on an error, Change doubled to put him on third.

What plagued the Bats was an inability to capitalize on Hamilton's aggressiveness. The Reds number one prospect put himself in scoring position with one or none out three times, resulting in no runs. Hamilton singled to start the first inning and stole second; he reached second on an error then stole third to start the third inning; and he singled, reached second on a Kristopher Negron double then stole third with one out in the sixth. Hamilton finished the game 4 for 5 with two RBI's and three stolen bases.

Corcino came out in the fourth after giving up five runs on five hits, striking out five and walking one. Clippers starter David Huff left in the fifth, only allowing two runs on four hits, striking out four and walking five.

Jose Arredondo replaced Christiani to start the seventh and the Clippers loaded the bases with no outs. A walk and sacrifice fly would plate two, leaving the Clippers with a 7-2 advantage.