Bats Keep Playoff Pace by Rolling Mud Hens 8-3

Thanks to a sterling pitching performance from Ben Jukich and a steady dose of offense from players throughout the lineup, the Louisville Bats buried the Toledo Mud Hens 8-3 on Wednesday night at Fifth-Third Field in Toledo, moving their magic number to clinch a playoff spot to two games.

For the eighth time in ten contests this season in Toledo, the Bats came away victorious over their division rivals, pounding out seven extra base hits while moving their season record to 77-61.

With six games left on the schedule, Louisville needed the win to keep the heat on its competitors in the International League playoff scramble. The Bats came in three-and-a-half games up in the wild card race, but a half-game back in the divisional standings. Jukich's seven-and-two-thirds shutout innings led Louisville to the win, avenging a Tuesday loss to the Mud Hens that forced the Bats out of the division's top spot for the first time in 10 days.

Wladimir Balentien began September just as he finished up an August that saw him hit .394, doubling home Zach Cozart in the first off Mud Hens' starter Ryan Ketchner (5-5, 4.09) to give the Bats an early 1-0 lead.

Jukich and Ketchner kept both offenses at bay through the first half of the game, but Louisville managed to tack on another run in the fifth when leadoff man Dave Sappelt plated Mike Costanzo, who doubled earlier in the inning in his first ever game in a Bats' uniform. Costanzo, who was just called up from double-A today, reached base three times on the night, as did Sappelt, who moved his average back over .300.

Louisville busted the game open an inning later, as Zach Cozart led off the frame with his 17th home run of the season to make it a 3-0 contest. Before the Hens could get an out, the Bats chased Ketchner and had loaded the bases for catching prospect Devin Mesoraco, who sent a double to center that plated two more runs, making it a five-run affair. Recently promoted Luis Terrero followed Mesoraco's double with an RBI single of his own that made it 6-0, giving Jukich (6-4, 3.89) more than enough wiggle room to pick the win.

In the seventh, Michael Griffin played add-on when he belted a pinch hit, two-run homer off the scoreboard in left, making it 8-0. It was Griffin's second pinch hit home run of the year, and fifth overall.

Toledo added three runs in the ninth off the bat of Michael Bertram, who blasted a three-run job to prevent the Bats from earning a league-best 14th shutout.

Jukich was spectacular pitching into the eighth, allowing just three hits and one walk while fanning seven. The right-hander has not lost since June 24th, and has given up one run or less in his each of his last three starts.

Mesoraco, who has driven in 13 runs in just nine games with the Bats, had two doubles on the night. Jared Burton came in for Jukich and pitched an inning of scoreless relief in his first appearance off the disabled list.

Louisville will head to Indianapolis tomorrow for three games in Indy before heading home for their final two regular season contests, which will also be against the Tribe. RHP Chad Reineke (9-6, 3.66) will throw for the Bats tomorrow against a yet to be determined Indians' pitcher.