LOUISVILLE, Ky. - In the first game back from the Triple-A All-Star Break, the Louisville Bats (35-51) were unable to overcome a late hitting surge from the Columbus Clippers (46-43) and fell by a 6-4 score on Thursday night at Louisville Slugger Field. This four-game set will be the last
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - In the first game back from the Triple-A All-Star Break, the Louisville Bats (35-51) were unable to overcome a late hitting surge from the Columbus Clippers (46-43) and fell by a 6-4 score on Thursday night at Louisville Slugger Field. This four-game set will be the last time the two teams face each other in Louisville this season.
Cody Reed (2-8, 4.74) was strong and steady on the mound despite taking the loss. He opened with a quick 1-2-3 inning and allowed just one earned run in his first six frames. He went 6.2 innings, surrendering six runs (four earned) from seven hits while walking three and striking out six.
Dominic DeMasi (1-0, 2.19) earned his first win this season for Columbus. He threw 5.0 innings, surrendering two earned runs from six hits while walking two and striking out five. The Clippers utilized their bullpen with six different pitchers taking the mound tonight.
The Bats struck first in the home half of the opening inning. Following an opening walk to Mason Williams, Hernan Iribarren singled on the next at-bat. With two on, Phillip Ervin hit a grounder to score Williams and put Louisville ahead by one.
Despite his recent success offensively, Gabriel Guerrero demonstrated his strength as a defensive player in the third inning. Falling short on grabbing a fly ball that dropped suddenly, just as Drew Maggi looked as though he might advance to second base, Guerrero bulleted the ball to Selsky at first who tagged Maggi to end the inning and keep the Clippers off the board.
Columbus began to find their feet in the second half of the game. With back-to-back singles to lead off the fourth, an infield groundout from Melky Cabrera scored Yandy Díaz to tie it up. In the fifth, a Louisville fielding error at first base scored another to put the Clippers up 2-1.
The fifth inning also provided hope for the Bats. Chadwick Tromp, who was 2-for-4 on the night opened with a single, followed by another single from Mason Williams. Hernan Iribarren then slashed career hit 417 with Louisville to become fifth place all-time in team history. The hit loaded the bases for Phillip Ervin when he cranked a sacrifice fly ball, his second RBI of the night, to score Tromp and tie the game at 2-2.
Columbus finally began to pull away in the sixth. With two outs, the Clippers stole back the lead with a solo homer from Todd Hankins. Continuing into the seventh, a walk followed by two singles scored Dorssys Paulino which then called for a Louisville pitching change. With Evan Mitchell on the mound, Adam Rosales doubled on a fly ball to score Yandy Diaz. The third run of the frame came from another single by Eric Haase to score Fransisco Meija to make it 6-2 Columbus.
Never the team to go down without a fight, the Bats responded immediately. Following another walk for Mason Williams, Hernan Iribarren connected for his third hit of the night and his 1500th career hit between the minor and major leagues. With runners at first and second, Phillip Ervin delivered on a triple to right field to score both Williams and Iribarren as the Bats cut the deficit in half.
The rally was not enough to steal the win as the Bats dropped the first game of the set, 6-4. The teams return to Louisville Slugger Field on Friday night when Louisville righty, Homer Bailey (1-2, 5.84) will make his fifth rehab start against Columbus right-hander Stephen Fife (3-5, 6.41). First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m.
