Bats Hammer Memphis 11–3 Behind Offensive Firepower

The Louisville Bats brought the firepower on Saturday night, controlling the pace against the Memphis Redbirds in an 11-3 win at AutoZone Park. Garrett Hampson and Michael Toglia each hit home runs in the win, while the Bats' bullpen limited the Redbirds to just two hits after Davis Daniel’s start.

The Bats put up signals of precarity in the first inning, with series newcomers TJ Friedl and Jose Trevino both reaching base with hits. Michael Toglia walked with one out to load the bases, but Ivan Johnson, riding an eight-game hitting streak coming into the game, couldn’t convert. Francisco Urbaez concluded an eight-pitch at-bat with a laser back to Redbird starter Bryce Mautz, who knocked it down with his torso. Still, he managed to gather the ball and throw out Urbaez, ending the danger.

Daniel took the ball for the start for the Bats and looked composed, striking out the first two batters, with the latter coming on a pitch clock violation by batter Thomas Saggese. However, a four-pitch walk showed the first sign of let-up from Daniel, who subsequently gave up a 397-foot home run from Leo Bernal to give Memphis a quick 2-0 lead. That marks the 14th home run given up in the first inning by a Bats pitcher this season.

Daniel worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the second, throwing for his third strikeout in the process. Louisville’s offense responded by filling the bases once again in the top of the third with two outs, with Urbaez coming to the plate again.

This time, he took advantage, grounding a single into left field to score two runs and tie the game. A Michael Chavis fly ball seemed to end the inning, but a collision in short centerfield popped the ball free and allowed Toglia to score. Urbaez was cut down trying to tack on one more on the play and ended the inning with the Bats ahead 3-2.

Daniel faced off against runners on the corners with no outs to protect the Bats’ lead. However, a double-play off a caught line drive from Johnson, who then threw out Ramon Mendoza at first, gave Daniel some ease. A quick ground out helped keep the lead safe after the frame.

Nevertheless, the Memphis offense came right back the next inning and put the game back into a deadlock. With two outs, Daniel allowed a double and a walk to bring up Yohel Pozo, who flew a ground-rule double over the center field wall to tie the game up at three runs apiece. Daniel was relieved before the last out was made by Connor Phillips, finishing his outing at 4.2 innings, with three runs on seven hits, three walks, and five strikeouts.

The tie lasted for just a few batters, as Garrett Hampson provided Louisville with the lead on a two-run home run to begin the sixth. It’s only Hampson’s second home run of the year and breaks a four-game hitting skid for the Bats infielder. Phillips (W, 1-0) tossed a quick 1-2-3 bottom half to preserve the 5-3 lead after six.

The Bats kept rolling into the seventh with a Rodriguez walk and Toglia flying another two-run blast 410 feet out of the ballpark to increase Louisville’s advantage. Toglia now has 15 homers on the season, which is four more than any other Bat and tied for third among International League leaders.

Banfield all but put the game away in the eighth, coming off the bench to pinch-hit for Trevino with two runners in scoring position. A tapper on a 2-1 count caused trouble on the throw and catch by the Memphis defense. Two runners crossed, and Banfield reached second as the ball squirted into the outfield. Rodriguez shot an RBI single to follow Banfield and score another run, giving the Bats a heavy offensive cushion. Hampson provided the final run of the night in the ninth, shooting an RBI double into right field for his third RBI of the game.

Anthony Misiewicz and Trevor Kuncl followed Phillips’s outing with scoreless innings of their own, helping to secure an 11-3 Bats win in downtown Memphis. Hampson led the way with three RBIs on a 2-for-4 night from the plate. Toglia and Urbaez recorded two RBIs of their own, while TJ Friedl scored his first two hits as a Bat this season. Redbirds reliever Max Rajcic (L, 4-2) was given the loss.

The Bats (33-28) will wrap up the six-game series against the Redbirds (37-25) on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is set for 2:05 p.m. ET at AutoZone Park. Nick Curran will be on the call for Sports Talk 790 AM.