Bats Split Series with Indians after 4-0 Finale Loss
The Louisville Bats split the series with the Indianapolis Indians after being shut out in the finale, 6-0, at Victory Field. The Indians struck first in the second inning in a big way, as Mitch Jebb drove a ball over the fence in right field that scored two others, giving
The Louisville Bats split the series with the Indianapolis Indians after being shut out in the finale, 6-0, at Victory Field.
The Indians struck first in the second inning in a big way, as Mitch Jebb drove a ball over the fence in right field that scored two others, giving Indianapolis a 3-0 lead early in the game. Those baserunners came off of two walks issued by Louisville starter Kent Emanuel (L, 1-1).
Indianapolis starter Brandon Eisert only went one inning, blanking the Bats and striking out one. In a bullpen day for the Indians, Wilber Dotel (W, 4-3) relieved Eisert and gave Indianapolis two more innings, allowing one hit.
Edwin Arroyo did not make it easy on Dotel in the top of the third, putting up a fight in a 17-pitch at-bat that resulted in a strikeout. It is the most pitches in a single at-bat by a Louisville player since at least 2005.
Mitch Jebb smacked his second homer of the day off Emanuel in the seventh, this time a solo home run, to give the Indians some extra insurance and extend the lead to 4-0.
Despite the three-run homer in the second and solo shot in the seventh, Emanuel continued to battle and put forth a good start, going 7.0 innings and allowing four runs on four hits, striking out five and walking five before exiting the game. The walks and homers proved to be costly in the Bats' loss.
For the bottom of the eighth, Connor Phillips came in, and the Indians put up two more off of a home run by Tyler Callihan despite Phillips gathering two outs. It made the lead 6-0 for Indianapolis, and secured the series split between the two teams.
Bats pitching walked seven Indians in the loss while allowing three homers. The offense was quiet as well during the contest, in a game that only saw three Louisville hits. Indianapolis platooned six different pitchers on the day, and they combined for 10 strikeouts and just three walks, a difference that proved decisive for the Bats in their defeat.
The Bats (57-67, 18-33 2nd half) head home to take on the Gwinnett Stripers at Louisville Slugger Field on Tuesday night. First pitch is set for 6:35 pm EST. Nick Curran and Jim Kelch will be on the call on Sports Talk 790.