Tyler Mahle impresses in Triple-A debut

NORFOLK, VA - The Louisville Bats (30-46) have lost the series opener, 3-1, against the Norfolk Tides (33-44) on Monday night at Harbor Park.
Tyler Mahle was named the starting pitcher for Monday evening's game, which came as his Triple-A debut. Through six innings pitched, Mahle struck out nine batters and gave up only four hits and one walk. The Tides did score three runs in the third inning, but those came as unearned to Mahle.
In the top of the second inning, Brandon Dixon led off with a single, followed by a walk to Phillip Ervin. With the bases loaded, Tony Renda smacked the ball to short and reached on a fielder's choice. Everybody was safe, including a run that scored on the play that allowed Louisville to take a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the third inning, there was a bout of misfortune for the Bats, as two errors were committed and the Tides were able to manufacture three runs and claim a 3-1 lead.
The starting pitcher for the Tides, Jayson Aquino, held the Bats to just one run in seven innings pitched. Louisville collected just three hits and one walk off the Norfolk hurler.
The Bats went down quietly for the remainder of the game, with the exception of Phillip Ervin reaching base on an error to lead off the ninth inning. Despite getting the tying run to the plate in the ninth, the Louisville offense failed to produce and ultimately fell to the Tides, 3-1.
The Louisville Bats will faceoff with the Norfolk Tides again tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. at Harbor Park. Poised to take the mound for the Bats is lefty Amir Garrett (0-0, 0.00 ERA), who will take on right-hander Gabriel Ynoa (1-5, 6.93 ERA) of the Tides.