Bats drop rubber match, 4-0, to IronPigs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - On a light day for offense, the Louisville Bats (52-64) dropped the rubber match to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (72-47), 4-0, Sunday afternoon at Louisville Slugger Field. In losing their second-consecutive series, the Bats only mustered four hits against strong pitching from the Pigs.

Lehigh Valley starter Cole Irvin (11-4, 2.85) earned the win, only allowing three hits and no runs over seven innings. Louisville starter José López (5-11, 4.59) was handed the loss, allowing six hits and four runs with four strikeouts over five-plus innings of work.
                                                                                                    
In the bottom of the first, the Bats threatened with two on and two outs, but a flyout ended the opportunity. A similar situation presented itself in the third with no outs, but Irvin evaded trouble with a trio of outs. Throughout the game, the Bats were unable to come up with clutch hitting, stranding seven runners.
For the first four innings, Lopez held the IronPigs in check as he gave up just two hits in the early going, but circumstances would turn in the fifth. Following a leadoff single by Aaron Altherr, Lehigh Valley broke onto the board with consecutive RBI doubles to right, giving them a 2-0 lead. In the following inning, the Pigs chased Lopez with back-to-back singles, leading to two more runs coming home on a force out and sacrifice fly off reliever Brandon Finnegan.
In need of a rally, the Bats finally broke out of a slump in the eighth, placing two on with one out following a walk to Blake Trahan. After a fly out sent lead runner C.J. McElroy to third, Taylor Sparks was called out on strikes to close the frame. In their final shot in the ninth, Louisville went quietly as the side sat down in order.
The Bats will now head out for a southern road trip, beginning on Monday in Gwinnett against the Stripers. Southpaw Cody Reed (4-8, 3.92) will start for the Bats against right-hander Bryse Wilson (2-0, 7.50) of the Stripers. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.