Louisville’s Offense Quieted by Indianapolis in 3-1 Loss

The Louisville Bats, who had won four out of their previous five games, dropped their first contest of the series to the Indianapolis Indians 3-1 after timely hitting by Indianapolis on Wednesday night at Victory Park.

The Indians got on the board in the bottom of the second with a pair of doubles off Louisville starter Jared Lyons (L, 1-5). Jack Brannigan and Cameron Barstad’s knocks put Indianapolis up 2-0.

Although the Bats had just as many hits through four innings with three, timely hitting was the key for both teams, and the Indians seemed to have more luck on that front. Indianapolis continued with their offensive presence, as a single that squeaked through the infield scored one more, putting the Indians up 3-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth.

Lyons’ day was done after the fifth. He lasted 5.0 innings, allowing three runs on four hits to take the loss. He struck out two and walked two. Anthony Misiewicz entered and worked a scoreless inning to keep the Bats within reach during the last third of the game.

Indianapolis starter Thomas Harrington (W, 2-6) exited the game after 6.0 innings of quality work, leaving the Bats scoreless and allowing only three hits, accompanied by three strikeouts.

Louisville ended the scoreless drought with a new arm in, as Michael Chavis smacked a double down the right field line. A fly out moved him to third, and Will Benson worked an eight-pitch at-bat that saw him walk, but ball four was a wild pitch that allowed Chavis to score, cutting the lead down to 3-1 headed into the stretch.

Both offenses went quiet for the rest of the night, and after getting the leadoff man aboard in the top of the ninth, three Louisville batters were retired in a row to give the Indians a 3-1 win.

Harrington took the win home for Indianapolis for his quality start, and Lyons took the loss for the Bats. Beau Burrows (SV, 11) earned the save for his work in the ninth, allowing just one baserunner on one hit. Although both teams were held to just five hits, Indianapolis’s back-to-back RBI doubles in the second proved to be decisive.

The Bats (55-65, 16-31 second half) continue their series against the Indians (55-62, 21-22 second half) on Thursday night. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. EST at Victory Park. Nick Curran will be on the call on Sports Talk 790.