Here is your weekly poop on the Louisville Bats.
Where They Stand: The Bats enter the Triple-A All-Star break 45-47 and in third-place in the International League West, 7.5 games behind Indianapolis (52-39), which has the best record in the IL.
The Week That Was: The Bats went 4-4, splitting four games (one on the road and three at home) with division-leading Indy and splitting four more games at Toledo.
Who’s Hot: Pitchers Tony Cingrani, David Holmberg and Sam LeCure, who combined for the franchise’s first nine-inning no-hitter Sunday at Toledo. In two starts the left-handed Cingrani, who is down on a rehab assignment from parent Cincinnati, gave up just two hits while walking four and striking out nine in seven innings. The right-handed LeCure allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits while striking out seven (four vs. Toledo) in 3.2 innings in a pair of relief appearances. In his only three innings of the week the left-handed Holmberg walked one and struck out three while earning the win in the no-no against the Mud Hens. Overshadowed by the no-hitter was a great week by closer Jumbo Diaz, who walked one and struck out three in three innings as he earned three saves in three appearances. At the plate infielder Jermaine Curtis led the way, hitting .500 (10-for-20) for the second straight week, while catcher Ramon Cabrera batted .385 (5-for-13) and infielder Hernan Iribarren hit .375 (6-for-16).
Who’s Not Hot: Infielder Josh Satin hit a paltry .071 (1-for-14) while outfielders Kyle Waldrop and Jose Constanza batted .105 (2-for-19) and .133 (2-for-15), respectively. On the mound, right-hander Matt Buschmann went 0-2 in a pair of starts, giving up five earned runs on 13 hits while walking six and striking out eight in 11.2 innings.
Comings & goings: Coming - Outfielder Bryson Smith and infielder Josciel Veras were activated off the seven-day disabled list. Outfielder Yorman Rodriguez was coming and going. He was recalled by Cincinnati on Monday then was optioned back down by the Reds on Saturday. Going - Right-handed pitcher Raisel Iglesias ended his major league rehab assignment. Rodriguez and Waldrop were placed on the temporarily inactive list (Futures Game).
The Week Ahead: After the All-Star break ends the Bats host Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (48-44) in a four-game series, beginning at 7:05 p.m. Thursday night. The highlight of the homestand will be Saturday’s Star Wars Night, which will feature Star Wars-themed sights and sounds, character appearances, photo opportunities and other things. Any fan wearing a Star Wars character costume will receive a discounted ticket price. After the series against the Red Barons, the Bats will play a split-series against division-rival Columbus (50-41), playing the first two games on the road and the second two at Louisville Slugger Field.
Photo courtesy Louisville Bats Facebook Page
