Valaika Breaks Tie in Seventh, Bats Escape 3-2

Toledo, OH - The Louisville Bats were scoreless going into the seventh after Toledo starter Nate Robertson held the Bats in check tonight. Chris Valaika broke the tie and hit the eventual game-winning double scoring newly acquired Lew Ford as the Bats won 3-2. There were 6,262 fans in attendance at Fifth Third Field.

Both pitchers managed to hold the offenses to just a few hits most of the game. It was not until the seventh inning when Lew Ford walked, followed by a RBI double to right by Chris Valaika gave the Bats the lead 1-0.

The Bats managed to continue their hitting in the eighth when Todd Frazier hit his second home run for Louisville to right scoring two, and making it 3-0 Bats.

Toledo responded with their first run in the bottom of the eighth on a RBI single by Don Kelly off of reliever Federico Baez scored Wilkin Ramirez. Then Todd Frazier's brother Jeff made it a one-run game for Toledo with a fielder's choice double play that scored Scott Sizemore, making it 3-2.

Bats starter Matt Klinker (2-2, 2.48) went six-and-two-thirds scoreless innings, giving up only three hits, while walking two and striking out seven.

Klinker got the win for the Bats. Logan Ondrusek earned his eighth save, pitching part of the eighth and the ninth.

Toledo starter Nate Robertson did not get the decision, but proved to be just as effective against the recently hot bats of Louisville. Robertson went six-and-two-thirds scoreless innings as well, while giving up three hits, walking two, and striking out nine.

Jeremy Bonderman (1-4, 4.50) gave up the Valaika double in the seventh and took the loss for Toledo.

Casey Fein came on in relief for Bonderman in the eighth and gave up the Frazier homer.

The Bats were led offensively by Todd Frazier for the second game in a row as he hit a 2-run homer for the Bats. Valaika had the other RBI on his double. Chris Heisey went 2-for-3 and had the only hits for the Bats going into the seventh. Eymann also tripled to lead off the game.

The Bats finish up the series in Toledo Wednesday night at 6:30pm at Fifth Third Field. Probable starters are RHP Sam LeCure (9-6, 4.38) for the Bats and RHP Nate Bump (7-1, 2.47) for Toledo.