Lopez Strikes for a Three-Run Homer as Bats Lose, 10-6
Toledo, Ohio – Alejo Lopez recorded two hits and four RBIs, highlighted by a three-run home run in the fifth, but the Louisville Bats (12-21) were unable to overcome an early six-run deficit as the Toledo Mud Hens (17-16) secured a 10-6 win inside Fifth Third Field on Friday night.
Toledo, Ohio – Alejo Lopez recorded two hits and four RBIs, highlighted by a three-run home run in the fifth, but the Louisville Bats (12-21) were unable to overcome an early six-run deficit as the Toledo Mud Hens (17-16) secured a 10-6 win inside Fifth Third Field on Friday night.
Toledo struck first by scoring six runs in the home half of the second inning. Louisville starter Braden Shipley faced early trouble as the Mud Hens used back-to-back singles and a walk to load the bases before a Christin Stewart hit-by-pitch produced their first run of the night. The inning continued as JaCoby Jones drew a base-loaded walk before three-straight singles put Toledo in front 6-0.
Shipley exited after allowing six earned runs on four hits and three walks over 1.1 innings. Louisville used a combination of five arms in relief, as RJ Alaniz worked 2.2 innings of one-run baseball, before Josh Osich, Edgar Garcia, Cionel Perez, and Shane Carle recorded an inning each out of the bullpen.
The Mud Hens added a run to their lead in the fourth frame on a Yariel Gonzalez single to extend their margin to 7-0.
Louisville broke into the scoring column in the top of the fifth to trim the deficit to 7-3. Rocky Gale opened the scoring sequence as he led off the frame with a line drive base-hit to right. One batter later, Errol Robinson drew a walk to place runners on first and second for Lopez. With one down, Lopez sent a ball to deep right field for a three-run shot to cut into the lead. He leads all minor leaguers with 50 base hits and now has recorded 16 multi-hit games this season.
However, the comeback effort was stalled as the Mud Hens scored two more in the home half of the fifth before the teams traded runs over the next two innings to keep the margin at four.
The Bats will be back in action Saturday night for the fifth game of the series from Fifth Third Field. Louisville will hand the ball to recently signed Michael Mariot (0-0, 0.00), while Wily Peralta (1-0, 2.70) is scheduled to take the mound for Toledo at 7:05 p.m. ET.