Louisville Bats Notes: April 22

BATS GO FOR SECOND STRAIGHT HOME SERIES WIN: The Louisville Bats and Syracuse Chiefs square off in the series finale of a three-game set at Louisville Slugger Field. With the 8-5 win on Saturday, the Bats will look to win their second consecutive series at LSF (took two of three from Columbus, April 9-11). LOU looks to win back-to-back home series for the first time since May-June 2017, when the Bats won 4 straight home series against Columbus, Gwinnett, Lehigh Valley and Toledo.

BATS SET ATTENDANCE RECORD IN 8-5 WIN: The Bats welcomed 14,658 fans to Louisville Slugger Field in yesterday's 8-5 victory over the Syracuse Chiefs for "Thunder at Slugger Day". Newly acquired right-hander Zach Neal got the win in his first game in a Louisville uniform, joining Zack Weiss (4/7) and Justin Nicolino (4/10) as pitchers to win in their LOU debuts this season. Tanner Rainey also recorded his first Triple-A save in yesterday's ballgame, as the Bats' offense attacked Chiefs pitching by tying a season-high eight runs on 12 hits. Mason Williams , Tony Cruz and Blake Trahan led the way with 2-hit games, with Cruz adding two walks to reach base four times. Nick Senzel went 1-for-3 with two walks, a run scored and a stolen base as the Bats got back on track.
SCHOFIELD NAMED INTERIM MANAGER: The Cincinnati Reds announced today that Dick Schofield has been named interim manager for the Louisville Bats. Schofield, who was serving as Louisville's bench coach, replaces Pat Kelly , who managed the first 10 games of the 2018 season for Louisville, compiling a 4-6 record. Kelly was recently promoted to Major League bench coach for the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds also announced Darren Bragg will take over Schofield's previous role as Louisville's bench coach. Bragg is in his 12th season in the organization and was in his 10th as outfield coordinator at the time of his transfer to Louisville.
TRANSACTIONS: The Cincinnati Reds acquired right-hander Zach Neal and infielder Ibandel Isabel from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for right-hander Ariel Hernández , who was designated for assignment last Friday to make room on the 40-man roster for right-hander Dylan Floro . Hernandez threw 17.0 innings in 15 relief appearances for Louisville last season. Cincinnati also traded catcher Tony Sanchez to the Texas Rangers on April 16 for a PTBNL or cash. Sanchez appeared in 2 games for Louisville this season, going 1-for-5 with a double and starting at catcher on April 12 at Lehigh Valley. The Reds also optioned left-hander Cody Reed to Class AAA Louisville, who is not active today, to make room on the Major League roster for outfielder Scott Schebler , who recently returned from a rehab stint with Louisville and Class AA Pensacola. Right-hander Kevin Shackelford , who notched 12 saves with Louisville last season, has also joined the Bats on rehab assignment.
TOP PROSPECT: The Bats have the No. 7 ranked prospect (Baseball America) in baseball on their roster in infielder Nick Senzel. He blasted his first career Triple-A home run for Louisville on April 14 at Lehigh Valley, a solo blast in the ninth inning. He is also tied for the team lead with 6 walks, and leads the team with 2 stolen bases. Senzel, who was selected #2 overall in the 2016 MLB Draft, is the first Top 10 B-A prospect to appear in a Louisville uniform before making his MLB debut since LHP Aroldis Chapman in 2011, and the first position player since OF Jay Bruce in 2008.