Michael Chavis’ Two Homers Leads Bats to 9-0 Victory in Toledo

The Bats bombed three big flies to back Jose Franco’s stellar start in the 9-0 victory over the Mud Hens at Fifth Third Field on Wednesday night.

Michael Chavis blasted his 18th homer of the season to give the Bats a 1-0 lead in the second inning, and Louisville didn’t look back. In the fourth, Will Benson walked, and two batters later, Chavis struck again. He blasted a 2-2 curveball 108.8 MPH off the bat, well over the wall in left center field. His 19th homer of the year increased Louisville’s lead to 3-0.

The Bats' offense erupted again in the fifth as Carlos Jorge, Francisco Urbaez, and Hector Rodriguez singled with one out to load the bases for Will Benson. Benson hit a slow chopper to the shortstop, whose only play was at first base to get the second out of the inning. The groundout scored Jorge, which boosted the lead to 4-0.

Three pitches later, Michael Toglia roped a single to center field to score the other two runners and give the Bats a 6-0 lead.

On the pitching side, Bats’ starter Jose Franco was dominant. He allowed just one hit and struck out three over five scoreless innings of work. Shortstop Sam Haggerty led the sixth inning off with a double and later scored on a Rodriguez infield single. His 62nd RBI increased Louisville’s lead to 7-0.

Franco continued his success into the sixth inning before he was pulled in favor of Sam Benschoter before the seventh. He allowed just two hits, walked three, and struck out three over six scoreless innings of work. It was Franco’s first time recording an out in the sixth inning of a start this season, and his first time throwing six scoreless frames since June 5, 2025. Benschoter tossed his second consecutive scoreless appearance to keep the train rolling. He allowed just one hit and struck out one over an inning of work.

In the top of the eighth, Francisco Urbaez crushed his third homer of the year, which gave Louisville a 9-0 lead.

Luis Mey entered in the eighth and recorded the final six outs of the game to seal the victory. Mey struck out three over the scoreless frames.

Wednesday was Chavis’ third multi-homer game of the season, and first since May 12. His two homers and two walks created just his second time reaching base four separate times all season. Four different Bats had multi-hit games, and three batters recorded multiple RBI.

The Bats will take on Toledo again on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. Davis Daniel (5-8, 4.82) will take the ball for the Bats, and oppose Ty Madden (2-0, 4.71) for the Mud Hens. Nick Curran will have the call on Sports Talk 790.