Reynolds makes history in Bats' 3-0 win
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Friday night was a night of firsts at Louisville Slugger Field as the Louisville Bats (37-38) defeated the Rochester Red Wings (37-39) 3-0 in their series opener. Bats starter Greg Reynolds (W, 9-0) became the first starter in Louisville franchise history to start a season with a 9-0 record with a complete game shut out of the Red Wings.
Reynolds took a no-hit bid into the seventh that was broken up when Chris Colabello reached on an infield single, one of only two Rochester hits on the evening. Reynolds walked two and struck out eight to complete his line in the Bats' only complete game effort of 2013 to date.
To complement Reynolds' dominance on the mound, the Louisville offense was able to push across three runs across innings four and five to secure the win. They were powered by production from the middle of the order, with RBIs coming from Felix Perez, Neftali Soto and Henry Rodriguez.
Louisville had men on second and third in the bottom of the third inning when a lightning delay halted play. It was the first weather-related delay this season at Louisville Slugger Field. When the game resumed 33 minutes later, two pop-outs in foul territory ended the Bats' threat.
In the bottom of the fourth, Perez' lead-off single set up Rodriguez for his 29th RBI of the season on a single that gave the Bats the first lead of the ballgame, 1-0.
Billy Hamilton led off the bottom of the fifth with an infield single, and came around to score when Felix Perez singled to right field for his team-leading 43rd RBI. Louisville added on in the inning when Neftali Soto singled to score Josh Fellhauer, who had walked earlier in the frame. The Bats took their final 3-0 lead into the sixth.
Red Wings starter Cole De Vries (L, 2-3) was done after five complete innings of work when Luis Perdomo relieved him to start the sixth. De Vries allowed three earned runs on eight hits and a walk, striking out two. Perdomo worked three innings and held the Bats hitless to close out the game.
Reds' outfielder Chris Heisey went 0-4 in his fourth game of a rehab assignment with Louisville that started on June 17. He is now batting .267 during the rehab stint.
Game two of the four-game series between Rochester and Louisville will feature Bats RHP Chad Reineke (6-3, 3.44) against Red Wings RHP Vance Worley (2-3, 3.98). Tomorrow is Shane Co. Tote Bag Cooler giveaway night for the first 3,000 fans, and first pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.