Wynne Goes Seven, Bats Beat Mud Hens 6-2

TOLEDO, OH – Louisville starting pitcher Randy Wynne tossed a season-high seven innings and struck out eight leading the Bats to a 6-2 win over the Toledo Mud Hens Thursday night at Fifth Third Field.

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The Mud Hens opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning when Zack Short hit a leadoff solo home run. Brendon Davis repeated the feat with a leadoff solo home run of his own in the top of the second inning.

Those ended up being the only two runs Wynne allowed on the night. The right-hander stifled the Toledo offense, allowing just two hits after the second inning.

Trailing 2-0, the Bats mounted a rally in the top of the third inning. With runners on second and third and two outs, Jose Barrero tied the game with a single, driving in Stuart Fairchild and T.J. Friedl. After Barrero stole second base, Alejo Lopez drove him home with a single of his own to give Louisville a 3-2 advantage.

The score remained 3-2 until the top of the seventh inning, when Fairchild hit a two-run home run to extend the Louisville lead to three runs. It was Fairchild’s fifth home run of the season with the Bats.

Taylor Motter added another run to the Louisville lead in the top of the eighth inning with an RBI single that scored Lopez.

Toledo attempted a comeback in the bottom of the eighth inning, but Fernando Cruz came out of the bullpen and induced a pop out to get out of a bases loaded jam. Cruz then pitched a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his 12th save of the season and seal the victory.

The Bats and Mud Hens will play game four of their six-game series Friday night at Fifth Third Field. Justin Dunn will make a major league rehab start for Louisville, opposing Nivaldo Rodriguez (3-4, 5.64 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET.