Louisville's Bats Come Alive In 11-3 Series-Ending Win
The Louisville Bats claimed an 11-3 series finale victory behind strong debut pitching and home run hitting at CHS Field Sunday afternoon. Francisco Urbaez carried his momentum from Saturday into Sunday, launching a three-run bomb in the second. Edwin Arroyo followed suit with a homer of his own to go
The Louisville Bats claimed an 11-3 series finale victory behind strong debut pitching and home run hitting at CHS Field Sunday afternoon.
Francisco Urbaez carried his momentum from Saturday into Sunday, launching a three-run bomb in the second. Edwin Arroyo followed suit with a homer of his own to go back-to-back off Saints starter Aaron Rozek (L, 2-2) to put the Bats up 4-0.
Louisville’s offense continued to rally in the third, where with two runners on in scoring position, Leo Balcazar knocked his first Triple-A hit and RBI. Austin Hendrick knocked in another run via a fielder's choice, extending the lead out to 6-0 for the Bats. That ended Rozek’s day after 3.0 innings, where he let up six runs on five hits, striking out four.
The offensive party continued in the fourth with new pitcher Marco Raya in, where Urbaez doubled, leading to Michael Toglia’s 22nd home run of the season. The switch hitter punished the new arm and gave Louisville an 8-0 lead.
Bats starter Kent Emanuel (W, 1-0) was on fire all day, not allowing a hit until there was one out in the fifth, when Kala’i Rosario hit a homer to make it an 8-1 ballgame.
To spark more offense for Louisville, Arroyo nearly went deep to right field, but it ricocheted off the wall for an RBI double, pouring it on and making the deficit for St. Paul 9-1.
Although Emanuel kept damage to a minimum, manager Pat Kelly made a pitching change. Emanuel’s superb Bats debut consisted of 6.0 innings pitched, allowing one run on two hits, and striking out eight. Chase Solesky, another pitcher making his Bats debut, came in and retired the side in quick fashion.
To add an exclamation point to the day, Louisville loaded the bases with nobody out, and a sac fly by Michael Chavis and a big fly by Will Banfield added on to make it double digits for the Bats, 11-1.
Even after a two-run shot by Ben Ross, it was too little too late for St. Paul, and the Bats avoided the series sweep in dominating fashion, claiming an 11-3 win. Emanuel finished with his first win in Triple-A since July 2023. This was another game filled with the long ball, where another six sailed over the wall.
The Bats (51-61, 12-27 2nd half) head home to take on the Toledo Mud Hens Tuesday night. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. EST at Louisville Slugger Field. Nick Curran and Jim Kelch will be on the call on Sports Talk 790.