Bats snap losing streak in extras, 4-3

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Louisville Bats (53-68) defeated the Charlotte Knights (55-66) by a 4-3 score in 10 innings on Friday afternoon at BB&T Ballpark. The win evens the series for the Bats and snaps their six-game losing streak.

Louisville earned its much-needed win that was started by right-hander José López (5-11, 4.44) who got a no-decision. He tossed a quality start, going 6.0 innings and giving up one earned run on six hits, walking three and striking out five on 96 pitches, 59 strikes.
The Bats' offense provided some early run support, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the first before Lopez even took the mound. Josh VanMeter and Blake Trahan led off the game for Louisville with back-to-back singles, before Brian O'Grady drove in the first run of the ballgame with a sacrifice fly that scored VanMeter.
Charlotte tied the game in the bottom of the sixth, before a pair of Louisville solo home runs in the top of the eighth gave the Bats a 3-1 lead. VanMeter hit his eighth home run for Louisville this season, while O'Grady hit his fifth in a Bats uniform.
Tanner Rainey provided 2.0 innings of scoreless work out of Louisville's bullpen, before the Knights tied it up in the bottom of the ninth off Bats closer Kevin Quackenbush, who was tagged with his fourth blown save of the season. Charlotte left fielder Charlie Tilson hit a two-run single which tied the game, sending it into extra innings.
In the top of the 10th, VanMeter notched his third and final hit of his three-hit performance, knocking in C.J. McElroy to give the Bats a 4-3 lead. Quackenbush shut the door in his second inning of work, redeeming his lackluster ninth inning with a perfect 1-2-3 bottom of the 10th, earning the win.
The Bats snap a six-game losing streak, which is tied for a season-high. Louisville improves to 7-5 in extras this season, leveling the current series with Charlotte at one game apiece.
Louisville and Charlotte are back at it for game three of four on Saturday night, with first pitch set for 7:04 p.m. Right-hander Keury Mella (2-1, 3.18) is expected to make his first start for Louisville since being optioned on August 13, while Charlotte is expected to counter with right-hander Jordan Stephens (3-5, 4.43).