Pawtucket shuts out Louisville 5-0
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Louisville Bats were shutout for the third time this season as Pawtucket Red Sox won 5-0 on Friday night at Louisville Slugger Field. Louisville recorded only seven hits on the evening, only two of those coming after the second inning.
Bats manager Jim Riggleman handed the ball to Chad Reineke (0-4, 9.59) on Friday night as he would look for his first win of 2014. Reineke lasted four innings and allowed two runs, two hits, two walks while striking out a pair.
Paw Sox right-hander Allen Webster (2-1, 2.45) opposed Reineke in his eighth start of the season. He would complete five innings and allow six hits, zero runs, one walk and three strikeouts.
A 49-minute rain delay took place in the fourth inning. Webster would return after the delay to pitch the fourth and fifth and earn the win.
The third and fifth innings put the Bats under as the first two Paw Sox reached and scored in both of the innings. In the third, shortstop Mike McCoy reached via base on balls, which was followed by a Brock Holt double. They each scored on back-to-back groundouts.
Thomas Neal registered two hits, including a double, to lead the Louisville offense. Louisville struck out 10 times with three Bats hitters being fanned at least twice.
Corky Miller saw his name on the lineup card once again as he started behind the plate his 543rd game played as apart of the Louisville franchise. He is now only one game played away from tying Bill Lyons franchise record.
Bats pitching had trouble keeping the Paw Sox leadoff runner off the bases as six leadoff hitters reached base. Three of them came around to score. Louisville pitchers also walked five batters; three of them led off the inning.
Louisville (15-19) and Pawtucket (21-15) will be back in action tomorrow at 6:05 p.m. for game two of the four-game set. Left-hander Jeff Francis (4-3, 2.91) will square off against right-hander Anthony Ranaudo (3-2, 4.01).