Los Murciélagos drop first game of series with Los Veleros, 6-3

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Louisville Bats (28-52) were defeated in the first of the three-game series with the Cleveland Indians' Triple-A affiliate Columbus Clippers (49-30) by a score of 6-3 at Louisville Slugger Field on Friday night. The evening was the first night of the weekend-long celebration known as the 'Copa de la Diversión' across minor league baseball. As part of the celebration, the Bats were rebranded as Los Murciélagos de Louisville and the Clippers took on the identity of Los Veleros, or "sailboats." 
Both teams showed life early, as Los Veleros were able to plate the leadoff man, Greg Allen, thanks to a sacrifice fly from Daniel Johnson in the top of the first inning. However, Los Murciélagos responded in kind as Josh VanMeter traded places with the home-team leadoff man on second base for an RBI double to tie the game in the bottom half of the inning. 
Both teams would be held scoreless until the top of the fourth inning, when Los Veleros would capitalize on a costly two-out throwing error from Christian Colón, barely pulling first baseman Nick Longhi off of the bag and allowing the inning to continue. Los Veleros would go on to score five unearned runs in the inning to push the lead to 6-1. 
The heart of Los Murciélagos batting order was able to do some damage in the sixth, as Brian O'Grady and Narciso Crook both drove in runs with a double and single, respectively. However, it would not be enough to overcome the deficit as they would ultimately be held scoreless for the remainder of the contest. 
The win was credited to Los Veleros starter Michael Peoples (4-3, 4.32) and James Hoyt (1-0, 5.30) earned his second save of the year, while Los Murciélagos starter Keury Mella (4-8, 5.07) received the loss. Los Murciélagos pitching staff would end up only allowing one earned run in the game, and the bullpen would combine for 3.1 scoreless innings including 2.1 innings from Jesús Reyes, allowing only two hits with one walk and one strikeout. 
Los Murciélagos and Los Veleros will meet again tomorrow night for game two of the series with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Right-hander Lucas Sims (4-0, 4.64) will deliver the first pitch of the game for Los Murciélagos, while the righty Mitch Talbot (2-0, 5.12) will get the ball for Los Veleros.