INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Louisville Bats (8-10) failed to complete the sweep of the Indianapolis Indians (10-6) on Sunday afternoon at Victory Field, losing by a 2-1 score in 11 innings. It was their second extra innings game in as many days, losing out on the chance to sweep a
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Louisville Bats (8-10) failed to complete the sweep of the Indianapolis Indians (10-6) on Sunday afternoon at Victory Field, losing by a 2-1 score in 11 innings. It was their second extra innings game in as many days, losing out on the chance to sweep a series at Indianapolis for the first time since 2013.
Louisville starting pitcher Keury Mella (1-1, 5.06) tossed the longest outing for a Bats pitcher this season, going 7.0 scoreless innings, allowing four hits while walking none and striking out seven. The righty threw 88 pitches, 56 for strikes, before being lifted for pinch-hitter Aristides Aquino in the top of the eighth inning in a scoreless game.
The contest would remain scoreless into the 10th, the first time Louisville has gone into extras scoreless since the 2016 season. In the top of the 10th, pinch-hitter Kyle Wren moved Blake Trahan from second to third base with a sacrifice bunt, with Phillip Ervin bringing in the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly, manufacturing the game's first run.
Bats closer, right-hander Anthony Bass, came into the game in the bottom of the 10th inning, blowing his first save of the season after going perfect in his first four attempts. Trayvon Robinson answered in the bottom of the 10th with a leadoff triple off Bass, immediately driving in Alfredo Reyes to tie up the ballgame and putting Indianapolis in a great position to win it. Louisville would survive the 10th after shortstop Blake Trahan made a spectacular play to nab Robinson at the plate, but ultimately fell in the bottom of the 11th after right-hander Jesús Reyes came into the game for the Bats, throwing a wild pitch and giving up the walk-off single to Eric Wood after loading the bases with two walks.
Louisville's starting pitchers Odrisamer Despaigne, Lucas Sims and Mella combined for a sensational 0.96 ERA in the series, allowing just two earned runs in 18.2 innings on the mound with just one walk and 27 strikeouts.
The Bats enjoy their first off day of the 2019 season on Monday, before returning home on Tuesday, April 23 to begin a six-game homestand against the Durham Bulls and Norfolk Tides that will run through Sunday, April 28.
The upcoming homestand will feature the final appearance for the "Derby City Mint Juleps" on Saturday, April 27, as well as other great promotions at Louisville Slugger Field.
