Votto's Heroics Lift Bats
Votto continued to play well for Louisville, going 3-for-4 on the night, including the winning home run. During the current homestand, Votto is batting .480. The home run could have gone to waste if it weren't for Anderson Machado's diving play to end the game. With runners on second and third and two outs, the Chiefs' John-Ford Griffin hit a blooper to shallow left field. Machado sprinted down the line and made an amazing diving catch, saving two runs and ending the game.
The Bats opened the scoring in the second inning when Mark Bellhorn scored on a fielder's choice by Chris Dickerson. Syracuse's second baseman, Curtis Thigpen, threw over the head of shortstop Ray Olmedo and the ball rolled into foul territory behind third base, allowing Bellhorn to score. Chad Moeller then ripped a double to left field scoring Mike Edwards and Dickerson.
The Chiefs got on the board in the fifth when Homer Bailey gave up back-to-back singles and a walk. With the bases loaded, former Bats player Kevin Barker singled to score Jeff Duncan and Olmedo. The Chiefs then drew even in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Wayne Lydon scoring Thigpen. Mottola went 2-for-4 for the Chiefs.
Bailey went five and a third for Louisville, but did not factor into the decision. He gave up three earned runs on six hits while striking out six and walking four. Ricky Stone earned the win for Louisville, improving to 3-1, with a 1.42 ERA. Marcus McBeth came on in the ninth for his third save.
Blaine Neal (2-3, 5.40) got the loss for Syracuse, pitching just one inning while giving up the home run to Votto.
Tomorrow Louisville will send RHP Steve Kelly (0-1, 8.10) to the mound to replace Bobby Livingston who was called up by the Reds to start tomorrow against the L.A. Dodgers. Newly signed RHP Andrew Good will start for the Chiefs. Game time is set for 1:15 p.m.