Bats hold on to early lead, defeat Indians 6-3
The Bats started hot in the first-inning with Norris Hopper leading off with a single to right field. Danny Richar and Adam Rosales continued the onslaught with back-to-back RBI doubles. To add insult to injury, Wes Bankston finished off the inning with a two-run home run rocketed to left field, scoring Rosales. Bankston has now homered in three consecutive games for the Bats, his longest streak since 2002, where he had a streak of five consecutive games with a home run at Rookie Princeton.
The Indians attempted a late rally beginning in the fourth inning with a two-run home run by Steve Pearce. An RBI single by Garrett Jones in the sixth-inning added the third, and final, run for the Indians.
It was all the Indians were able to manage off of a committee of relief pitchers. Carlos Fisher, Robert Manuel, and Josh Roenicke came on to finish the game for the Bats. Together, they gave up zero runs on zero hits. Daryl Thompson pitched well going five-and-two-thirds-innings, giving up only three runs on four hits and one walk.
Louisville added to their lead in the sixth-inning when Drew Stubbs doubled Luis Bolivar home. In the seventh-inning, Rosales continued his perfect day at the plate with an RBI single that scored Hopper. He finished 3-for-3 with two RBI's.
Wes Bankston also added two RBI's, on a home run in the first. Danny Richar and Drew Stubbs both had RBI doubles on the night.
Indians starter Daniel McCutchen was lit up for eight hits in five-and-two-thirds-innings by the Bats.
Louisville has now won three games in a row, and eight of their last ten, putting them in first place in the International League West Division.
The Bats (11-7) are back in action Tuesday at 11:05 am. They host the Indianapolis Indians (7-10) for the final game of the home series on Education Day at Louisville Slugger Field. Probable starters for the game are RHP Ramon Ramirez (0-1, 6.32) for the Bats and RHP Virgil Vasquez (0-1, 4.32) for the Indians.