Bats Can't Keep Up in 7-2 Loss To Iowa

After 18 home runs in the first three games of the series, the power surge continued Friday evening, as the Louisville Bats lost their third straight to the Iowa Cubs 7-2 at Louisville Slugger Field.

Davis Daniel made his second start as a member of the Bats and followed his strong outing with a good start to the first inning, recording a pop out and strikeout before surrendering a single to I-Cubs outfielder, James Triantos. With a full count, cleanup hitter Pedro Ramirez grounded a hard-hit ball to first baseman Michael Toglia who misplayed the ball and was charged with an error. Daniel navigated his way out of the inning with a strikeout.

The Bats offense was opposed by I-Cubs starter Will Sanders. After leadoff batter Edwin Arroyo popped out, Héctor Rodríguez deposited his first home run of the season into the left field seats for a solo shot. Rece Hinds and JJ Bleday recorded consecutive outs, ending the inning.

Leading off the top of the second, I-Cubs designated hitter Chas McCormick struck a home run 437 feet to left field to temporarily even the score. Daniel recorded one out before allowing a single, walk, and an RBI single to give the I-Cubs a 2-1 lead. Following a fielder’s choice, Triantos stepped to the plate and delivered a three-run home run for the I-Cubs, increasing the lead to 5-1.

Christian-Encarnacion Strand didn’t wait long to bring the Bats a step closer, hitting a solo home run on the second pitch of his at-bat. Will Banfield was able to record a double of his own, but the Bats stranded him to end the inning.

Daniel worked a clean third inning for the Bats, recording two strikeouts in the process. Edwin Arroyo singled to lead off the home half with a single, but was picked off on a throw by I-Cubs catcher Christian Bethancourt. The Bats went down unceremoniously afterwards. Daniel’s evening on the mound ended after he sat down two more I-Cubs batters and was relieved by Sam Benschoter, who, despite an Arroyo defensive error, notched the final out of the fourth.

In the bottom of the fifth, Garrett Hampson provided the Bats with a premier scoring opportunity after a single, stolen base, and throwing error by Bethancourt allowed him to advance to third with one out. The run never crossed the plate, as Arroyo and Rodríguez struck out in succession.

The bottom of the sixth saw I-Cubs manager Marty Pevey ejected from the game after home plate umpire Matt Blackborow signaled that the Iowa catcher had challenged a called ball. The Catcher, Bethancourt, disputed the challenge and his manager came to his defense. The inning concluded without any further theatrics.

Bats reliever Hagen Danner would appear in relief after a single and one-out double given up by Benschoter placed two runners in scoring position in the seventh. A run down would commence on the next play between third and home base, resulting in an applied tag for the second out by Banfield. The I-Cubs would scratch another run across on a McCormick RBI double, pushing the lead to 6-2.

The bottom half of the seventh and eighth innings saw the Bats offense go quietly with only a single and walk to show for their efforts.

Luis Mey made his third appearance of the season for the Bats in the top of the ninth, allowing a triple to Jonathon Long that would result in a run on a wild pitch.

On to the bottom of the ninth, Blake Dunn was charged with pinch-hitting duties. Dunn grounded out to the pitcher to end his 18-game hitting streak and 35-game on-base streak, both dating back to last season. The game’s final out was recorded by Francisco Urbaez, pinch-hitting and making his first appearance with the Bats this season.

Sanders (W, 1-0) earned the win for the I-Cubs. Daniel (L, 0-1) took the loss after allowing five earned runs across 3.2 innings. Rodríguez and Encarnacion-Strand led the way offensively for the Bats, each providing a solo home run.

The Bats (4-3) continue their season-opening homestand against the I-Cubs (4-3) on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. at Louisville Slugger Field. Nick Curran and Jim Kelch will be on the call on Sports Talk 790.