Bats Set Franchise Record For Wins In 6-3 Victory
Louisville, who clinched the International League West division title this past Thursday, also set a new franchise record for wins in August, as they moved to 20-4 for the month. It was the Bats 15th victory over the Clippers this season, their highest win total against any team over the course of the 2008 campaign.
Louisville got its offense going in the third inning when Shaun Cumberland came to the plate with the bases loaded and hit a two-out single to right that scored Rob Mackowiak and Paul Janish. Cumberland, who was hitting in the third spot for the first time this season, added another RBI in the fifth inning when he tripled to left-center to score Drew Stubbs. Cumberland's three RBI were his highest total since being transferred to Louisville on July 9th.
Those two runs would be more than enough for Ramirez, who continued his dominance of Columbus hitters this season, pitching six innings and giving up five hits and three walks, while fanning four. He was able to get out of jams unscathed all night as the Clippers left 11 men on base in the game. In Ramirez's four starts against the Clippers this season, he moved to 3-0 with a 0.39 ERA. He also will end the season with a 22 and one-third scoreless innings streak still intact against Columbus.
Alvin Colina blew the game wide open in the fifth inning when he blasted a three-run homer to left-center to make it a 6-0 game. For Colina, who set his career RBI mark just three days ago, it was his eight homer of the season.
Down 6-1 entering the ninth, Columbus mounted a rally off Bats' reliever Todd Coffey and put two runs on the board, but Daniel Ray Herrera came in and slammed the door to get the final out and earn his sixth save of the season.
The win was also the 300th in a Louisville uniform for Bats' manager Rick Sweet, who also recently broke Dave Miley's franchise record for most wins by a manager (297).
Louisville will go for the series sweep on Tuesday evening at Louisville Slugger Field when LHP Adam Pettyjohn (14-5, 4.66), who is currently tied for the league lead in wins, squares off against RHP Andrew Kown (1-0, 1.50). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05PM.