Bats Drop Season Finale 5-2 to Indians, Quest For Cup Begins
The Bats loaded the bases with no one out in the bottom of the second, but could not capitalize. Indian's starter Daniel McCutchen got Luis Bolivar to pop out to first, and induced Paul Janish to ground into a inning ending double play. After the bases loaded situation, McCutchen retired 14 straight Louisville hitters, before allowing an Adam Rosales single in the seventh.
With the score still tied at zero in the fourth, the Indians offense showed some life. Left fielder Chris Duffy led the inning off by launching his first home run of the year over the left-centerfield wall, making the score 1-0. Bats starter Bobby Livingston had been lights out, allowing only one hit up until that point.
The Indians added another run to their total in the top of the sixth when Luis Cruz led off with a single. McCutchen advanced Cruz to second on a sacrifice bunt, and a single by Duffy put runners at the corners with one out. Brian Bixler walked to load the bases and Andrew McCutchen hit a sharp infield single to second, stretching the Tribe's lead to 2-0.
The Indians put the game out of reach in the top of the eighth against Bats reliever Daniel Ray Herrera. Duffy recorded his third hit of the game by leading the inning off with a single. Bixler followed with a single of his own, putting runners at first and second with no outs. Duffy and Bixler then executed a successful double steal and Neil Walker came through with an RBI single making the score 3-0. After a fielder's choice by Steve Pearce in which Bixler was gunned down at the plate, Robinzon Diaz tripled down the right field line, driving in two and breaking the game open at 5-0.
The Bats made a comeback bid in the bottom of the eighth when Bolivar ripped a leadoff triple. Janish immediately followed with an RBI single to center cutting the deficit to 5-1. A wild pitch allowed Janish to advance to second, and Drew Stubbs singled with two outs making the score 5-2. Unfortunately for the Bats, that's as close as they would come.
Livingston (4-4 4.98) pitched well in the loss for the Bats before being ejected in the sixth inning. He finished his day pitching six innings, giving up four hits, and two earned runs. He also walked one and struck out three.
McCutchen (7-9 4.03) earned his seventh win of the year for the Tribe. He went seven strong innings, giving up 5 hits, and no runs. He also struck out nine and did not allow a walk.
Even though the regular season has come to an end there is plenty of baseball left to be played. The Bats will open up their quest for a league championship on Wednesday night at Louisville Slugger Field, hosting the Durham Bulls in the first round of the playoffs. LHP Matt Maloney (11-5 4.68) will get the start for the Bats and will be opposed by Bulls LHP David Price (1-1 4.50). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
There are still plenty of great seats available at Slugger Field for the playoffs. Contact the Bats ticket office at (502) 212-2287 or go to www.batsbaseball.com for more information.