Daniel Dazzles In 5-1 Bats Win Over Indians

Davis Daniel’s strong start held the Indianapolis Indians offense in check during the Louisville Bats' 5-1 win at Victory Field on Thursday night.

The Bats got on the board first in the top of the second inning with a three-run homer from Michael Chavis off Indians starter Nick Dombkowski. The 449-foot blast was the third baseman’s fourth of the season, all over the last six games. Edwin Arroyo continued the scoring in the third with a leadoff homer, his second at the Triple-A level, giving Louisville a 4-0 lead.

Davis Daniel (W, 1-1) was perfect and highly efficient through his first four innings of work. He struck out four and only needed 42 pitches (29 strikes) to record 12 consecutive outs.

Edwin Arroyo began the fifth inning with a walk and stolen base before Hector Rodriguez singled him home to boost the Bats lead to 5-0. Esmerlyn Valdez led off the Indians half of the fifth inning with a 457-foot solo shot to dead center field to inch Indianapolis closer to 5-1, and end Daniel's perfect game bid.

Daniel was removed after six strong innings of work. He allowed one run on two hits and struck out four before giving way to Lyon Richardson.

Thursday night was Daniel’s first quality start since July 6 of last season when he allowed just three hits and struck out eight over six scoreless innings for Gwinnett.

Richardson pitched a perfect seventh inning, improving his scoreless streak to 6.2 innings to start the season. He’s allowed just two hits, walked one and struck out eight this season.

Trevor Kuncl worked around a single and a walk to pitch a scoreless eighth inning. Kuncl has thrown 5.2 scoreless innings during his first season in Louisville with seven strikeouts.

Zach Maxwell allowed a single, walked two while recording two outs in the ninth. Yunior Marte (S, 1) relieved him with the tying run at the plate and promptly recorded the final out of the game to earn his first save with the Bats.

Maxwell still hasn’t allowed a run over four outings this month after allowing three runs over two March appearances.

Arroyo went 2-for-4 with a homer and a walk and scored two runs. He also notched his third multi-hit game of the season. Michael Toglia went 2-for-3 with a walk. JJ Bleday went 2-for-4 with a run scored. Bleday has a hit in 9 of his first 11 games this season. Louisville’s bullpen pitched three scoreless innings for the second time this series.

The Bats (6-6) will face the Indians (3-9) again on Friday night at Victory Field at 6:35 p.m. Darren McCaughan (1-1) will get the ball for the Bats and Antwone Kelly (0-2) will be on the hill for the Indians. Nick Curran will be on the call on Sports Talk 790.