Bats win fifth in a row, 7-4

PAWTUCKET, R.I. - The Louisville Bats (21-33) defeated the Pawtucket Red Sox (25-30) by a 7-4 score Tuesday night in the series opener at McCoy Stadium. The Bats extended their season-long winning streak to five games with the victory.

Louisville got the scoring started in the top of the fourth inning on catcher Chadwick Tromp's two-run double. Tromp had the best game of his Triple-A career tonight, going 3-for-4 with the go-ahead home run in the top of the ninth.
The Bats extended their lead to 3-1 in the top of the sixth on a solo home run by Tony Cruz, his second of the season. The PawSox would tie the game up in the bottom of the inning on a two-run home run by Adam Lind. Left-hander Cody Reed (0-4, 4.69) went 5.1 innings for the Bats, giving up three earned runs on 12 hits and one home run, walking none and striking out four.
Louisville's defense limited the damage by turning three double plays, overcoming Pawtucket's 17 hits to win their fifth game in a row. Louisville took a 4-3 lead in the eighth inning, with the PawSox tying up the game again in the bottom of the frame, before Louisville took charge in the top of the ninth with three runs.
Tromp's solo home run was the go-ahead RBI, with Nick Senzel's two-run double providing the insurance to give the Bats a 7-4 win. Kevin Quackenbush tossed a scoreless bottom of the ninth, converting his eighth save in as many opportunities this season.
The Bats look to extend their best winning streak of the season to six games tomorrow with right-hander Robert Stephenson (4-4, 3.52) on the mound, with Pawtucket right-hander William Cuevas (2-3, 3.56) set to pitch on the other side.