Bats Defeat Indians in a Slug Fest, 12-8

Louisville, KY - A five-run seventh was the difference as the Bats won a see-saw game in the opener versus Indianapolis. The Bats and the Indians combined for 20 runs and a run was scored in every inning except for the sixth. The victory, in front of 7,722 fans, concludes a rough June on a high note, as the Bats finished with a three-game winning streak.

After the Indians took a 2-0 lead in their half the first the Bats were able to come back and tie the game when Aaron Herr hit a two-run home run. The homer was Herr's tenth of the season and his first since being traded to the Bats on June 23.

The Indians took back the lead in the second when Mata Kata led off with a solo shot to left field, making the score 3-2. Kata finished the game 2-3 with two solo home runs.

Once again the Bats answered right back. Adam Rosales doubled to lead off the bottom half of the second and then scored on an Alvin Colin triple, which tied the game at three. Adam Pettyjohn's first double of the year then scored Paul Janish. A single from recently acquired Rob Mackowiak then scored Pettyjohn and gave the Bats a 5-3 lead.

The Bats added another run in the bottom of the third when Alvin Colin singled and drove in Adam Rosales, giving the Bats a three-run lead going into the fourth inning.

The lead would not last. Bats' starter Adam Pettyjohn allowed two runs in the fourth and fifth inning as the Indians retook the lead. The Indian rally was led by a two-run home run by Luis Ordaz in the fourth.

With two runners on in the fifth and still no outs, Bats' Manager Rick Sweet turned to the bullpen and RHP Ramon Ramirez to get out of the jam. Ramirez was able to force a pop up on a bunt, a shallow fly to center, and finished the inning by striking out Luis Ordaz, keeping the Bats from experiencing further damage.

The see-saw battled continued in the seventh as the Bats put up five runs to take a 11-7 lead. Two walks and a hit batter loaded the bases to start the seventh. Aaron Herr then grounded out, scoring Chris Dickerson. A single from Kevin Barker followed the ground out and scored Rob Mackowiak. Rosales then continued his hot hitting with a triple that scored two runs. It was Rosales' third hit of the game as he had already doubled twice. An Alvin Colina sacrifice fly then scored Rosales and concluded the scoring.

Rosales and Colina led the Bats' offensive attack. Rosales went 3-for-5 with two doubles, a triple, scoring three times and knocking in two. Colina finished the night 2-for-3 with a triple, a single, and three RBI's.

Recently acquired Rob Mackowiak added an insurance run when he hit is first home run of the season in the eighth, making the final score 12-8.

Indianapolis' RHP Marino Salas (2-1, 4.13) gave up the five runs in the seventh and took the loss. He allowed two hits, five earned runs and walked four in one inning.

RHP Todd Coffey (2-2, 4.08) pitched two innings in relief for the win. He gave up one hit, one run, and struck out three.

Both teams will be back in action tomorrow with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm. The starting pitcher for the Bats will be RHP Josh Fogg (0-1, 3.00), while Indianapolis will send RHP Jason Davis (4-8, 5.07) to the mound.