Ramirez, Rain Defeat Bats 1-0

PAWTUCKET, RI- The Louisville Bats received an outstanding pitching performance from Aroldis Chapman, but the offense was kept quiet just long enough as the Pawtucket Red Sox defeated Louisville 1-0 in a rain shortened game. It was a pitcher's duel at McCoy Stadium through the first five innings before heavy rains decided to end the night early.

The lone run of the game came in the bottom of the fourth against Chapman. Angel Sanchez led off the inning with a single to right. Chapman battled back to record back-to-back strikeouts before giving up a two-out base hit to Josh Reddick. After a walk to Dusty Brown loaded the bases, Chapman showed more control issues when he walked Jorge Jimenez to score Sanchez with the game's only run.

Louisville had only two hits in the game and were threatening in the top of the sixth when the game was called. Chris Valaika singled to start the frame and was advanced to second on a Michael Griffin sacrifice bunt. Drew Sutton walked to put runners at first and second with just one out, but the rain became too much and the game was ultimately called.

Drew Sutton went 0-2 at the plate but drew a walk to extend his on-base streak to 30. The 30 game streak is the longest by a Bat this season and is the longest in the International League in 2010.

Chapman (5-4, 4.22) bounced back well after his shortest outing of the season against the Paw Sox last week. He threw 5.0 innings, surrendered four hits, and one earned run. He also walked two and struck out nine.

Former Bat Ramon Ramirez earned the victory on the mound for the Paw Sox. Ramirez (1-1, 5.67)lasted 5.0 innings, gave up one hit, no runs, and struck out eight. Chad Paronto came on in the top of the sixth to record the one-out save, his first of the year.

The Bats and Paw Sox will get together for game two of the four game series on Sunday afternoon. LHP Ben Jukich (2-3, 3.94) will get the start on the mound for the Bats against Paw Sox RHP Adam Mills (1-4, 3.48). First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m.