Bats Dominate In 6-1 Win Over Clippers
The Louisville Bats secured back-to-back wins in their first two games of the series against the Columbus Clippers. Early offense and good defense gave way to a 6-1 victory on Wednesday afternoon at Louisville Slugger Field. The Bats exploded in the early parts of the game, plating three runs in
The Louisville Bats secured back-to-back wins in their first two games of the series against the Columbus Clippers.
Early offense and good defense gave way to a 6-1 victory on Wednesday afternoon at Louisville Slugger Field.
The Bats exploded in the early parts of the game, plating three runs in the bottom of the first inning. The first run came from a broken-bat single by Dominic Fletcher, followed by Michael Chavis launching a 407-foot shot, his 23rd homer of the season, to put Louisville up 3-0.
With offense coming to a halt from then on, Leo Balcazar provided a spark, lining a single to right, and extending his on-base streak to 22 games. It is the second-longest streak of the season for the Bats, just behind Michael Toglia with 28.
Columbus got on the board in the top half of the fourth with a homer by George Valera. His 10th of the year brought the Clippers within two, making things a 3-1 contest.
After getting out of the fourth inning, Louisville starter Carson Spiers exited the game after going 4.0 innings, while allowing one run on four hits. He struck out four and walked two in his efforts.
Louisville’s offense got back on track in the fifth inning with Noelvi Marte smacking a double into left field that scored one. One more scored off a Balcazar RBI ground out, and would extend the Bats lead out even further, 5-1.
Logan Allen (L, 6-4) made his exit during the fifth inning, and after the two runs scored in the fifth, he ended with a final line of 4.0 innings, allowing five runs on nine hits. He also struck out two batters.
Adding an exclamation point to the game, the Bats played some small ball in the bottom of the eighth, with Francisco Urbaez scoring on a sacrifice fly from Dayne Leonard to make it 6-1.
Connor Phillips ended the final two innings for Louisville, and the Bats claimed a commanding 6-1 win over the Clippers. This win marks the first time Louisville has claimed back-to-back wins since August 13-14, after winning game two of a doubleheader against Toledo, then winning the following night.
Jared Lyons (W, 3-5) got the win for his 2.0 innings of shutout relief, where he allowed only one walk and one hit while striking out two. Allen is given the loss for the five runs he gave up over his start.
Although Columbus only put up one run, they left 10 men on base, with major damage being prevented many times throughout the game by Louisville pitching.
The Bats (61-77, 22-43 2nd half) continue their series with the Clippers (74-63, 33-30 2nd half) on Thursday night at Slugger Field. First pitch is set for 6:35 pm EST. Nick Curran and Jim Kelch will be on the call on Sports Talk 790.