Dickerson Tripled for Louisville's Only Hit
The Bats' offense sputtered in the team's first game since Jerry Hairston's call up to the Reds Monday. Louisville started the game with back-to-back walks by Andy Green and Dickerson, putting runners at first and second in the top of the first. But the Bats couldn't capitalize and didn't have another baserunner until Jay Bruce walked in the seventh inning.
With Indianapolis about to no-hit the Bats using a combination of four pitchers, Dickerson tripled to right-center field to avoid the team's fourth no-hitter by an opponent. The last time the Bats didn't get a hit in a nine-inning game was when the Indians' Pedro Martinez, Felix Rodriquiez and Scott Service combined to do it May 25, 1997.
Matt Maloney (1-1, 7.27) started for Louisville and went just four innings in the defeat. He walked three and struck out four while allowing four runs on five hits. Justin Mallett, just called up from Double-A Chattanooga, and Tyler Pelland came on in relief, but couldn't stop the scoring.
For the Indians, John Van Benschoten (4-0, 1.88) kept Bats hitters off balance all night. He struck out eight Bats in six and two-thirds innings. Mike Thompson, Romulo Sanchez and Jonah Bayliss continued Indianapolis's pitching dominance and struck out another four batters in relief. Bayliss was on the hill when Dickerson tripled to break up the no-no.
The Bats continue their four-game series with Indy with an afternoon game on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. LHP Adam Pettyjohn (1-0, 5.12) gets the nod for the Bats while RHP Bryan Bullington (0-2, 6.75) will take the hill for the Indians.