Offense Comes Alive as Bats, Francis Defeat Columbus
After starting the season mired in an offensive slump, the Bats offense appears to be coming alive after its first back-to-back wins of 2012. The victory gave Louisville the series victory over the Clippers, as they knocked around Columbus pitching for seven runs, including four in the crucial sixth inning, closing out the four-game series with their third win.
Todd Frazier drove in three runs for the Bats, and catcher Dioner Navarro added three hits to give Louisville their highest offensive production since a nine-run outburst in Toledo one week ago.
Louisville busted open a tight 3-2 game in the sixth, when they sent nine batters to the plate and scored four runs without registering an extra base hit. Dennis Phipps drew a bases loaded walk to make it 4-2, and then Frazier broke it open with a two-run single to left. Danny Dorn capped the scoring when he singled into the right-center field gap to give reliever Josh Judy a comfortable lead going into the seventh.
The Bats did most of their damage against Clippers' starter Kevin Slowey (1-2, 4.50), who couldn't get out of the sixth after allowing his 13th base runner. Slowey had defeated the Bats with a stellar performance on the season's second day, but was on the hook for six runs and 10 hits in five-and-a-third innings.
With Francis going six strong innings, Louisville was able to stay on top for the duration of the night, as the veteran right-hander registered a season-high nine punch outs with only one walk. While Columbus was able to get nine hits off Francis, he continually got out of trouble, stranding numerous runners in scoring position, and only allowing a two-run homer in the fifth to Lonnie Chisenhall.
Kris Negron got the offense going in the opening frame, doubling to lead off the game, and coming around to score when Frazier cracked a two-bagger of his own to left. Frazier's three RBIs on the night pushed him into the early season team-lead in that category, and also pushed his hitting streak to a modest five games.
Negron was also in on the Bats' next run in the fourth, when his sac fly scored Paul Janish. Louisville wasn't done in the inning, however, as Chris Valaika tripled into right center to plate Navarro and give the Bats a three-run cushion.
Columbus tried to mount a rally off Josh Judy in the eighth when they put up a pair of runs, but Travis Webb struck out the final two batters of the inning to end the threat. JJ Hoover worked a perfect ninth for the second straight night to get his fourth save.
Louisville will continue their 11-game home stand on Tuesday by beginning a four-game series against the Toledo Mud Hens at 6:35PM. Louisville will start RHP Sean Gallagher (0-2, 19.80), while the Mud Hens will counter with LHP Fu-Te Ni (1-0, 1.29).