Bats Lose By Walk-Off, Falter 4-3
The Bats got things going in the first inning with a Darnell McDonald single to center. Kevin Barker followed with his third triple of the season to drive in McDonald, giving the Bats the early lead. Barker then scored on a hit by Wes Bankston that was mishandled by Chiefs shortstop Ian Desmond.
Louisville added yet another run in the top of the second as Luis Bolivar was driven in on a RBI ground-out by Drew Stubbs, after Bolivar singled to lead off the inning.
The Chiefs were held in check by Bats starter Travis Woods, making his first career start for the Bats. Woods did not get the decision, but went six-and-two-thirds innings, giving up one run on three hits, while walking four and striking out five.
The Bats held on until the seventh when reliever Robert Manuel gave up a solo shot to Seth Bynum, giving the Chiefs their first run of the game.
In the next inning, Syracuse continued their offensive onslaught with an RBI groundout by Mike Morse scoring Jorge Padilla, and putting the Chiefs within one.
Trying to hold on to the lead, the Bats went into the bottom of the ninth up one. Louisville was unable to finish the game however as Padilla hit a walk-off 2-run single to right field, dropping the Bats 4-3.
Manuel (3-4, 2.76) got the loss, going two-thirds of an inning, giving up two runs on three hits, while blowing a save.
The Bats were led offensively by Barker and Bolivar, who both had multi-hit games for Louisville. Barker had an RBI and a triple, as Stubbs added the other RBI.
Louisville is back in action Sunday in Syracuse against the Chiefs at 5pm. Probable starters are RHP Justin Lehr (12-3, 3.33) for the Bats and LHP Horacio Ramirez (2-2, 5.03) for the Chiefs.