The weekly poop on the Louisville Bats.
Where They Stand: The Bats are 38-39 and in third-place in the International League West, eight games behind Indianapolis (46-31), which has the best record in the IL.
The Week That Was: The Bats went 4-3, splitting four games at IL North-leading Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before taking two of three at Lehigh Valley.
Who’s Hot: Outfielder Yorman Rodriguez, who was on the “not hot” list a week ago, was quite the opposite over the past seven days, hitting .444 (12-for-27) and two home runs while driving in 12 runs and scoring five. Meanwhile third baseman Irving Falu hit .414 (12-for-29) while scoring seven runs and infielder Hernan Iribarren batted .370 (10-for-27) with five RBIs. On the mound right-handed pitcher Dylan Axelrod picked up a pair of victories in two starts. In those outings Axelrod gave up three earned runs on six hits while walking four and striking out nine in 11.1 innings. Meanwhile Jumbo Diaz was big out of the bullpen. The right-handed reliever picked up a pair of saves, allowing only two hits while walking two and striking out three in 3.2 innings.
Who’s Not Hot: Outfielder Ryan LaMarre went 2-for-15 (.133) while infielder Jermaine Curtis went 4-for-19 (.211). Meanwhile pitcher Donovan Hand struggled in a pair of starts after being optioned back down from the parent Cincinnati Reds early in the week. The right-hander went 0-1, giving up eight runs (six earned) on 15 hits while walking one and striking out four in 9.2 innings. Meanwhile reliever Sam LeCure struggled for the second straight week. The right-hander gave up five runs (two earned) on six hits while walking two and striking out two in three innings in two appearances.
Comings & goings: Coming - Hand and infielder/outfielder Kristopher Negron were optioned from the Reds while outfielder Kyle Waldrop (pictured above) was transferred from Double-A Pensacola. Going - Right-handed pitcher Scott Brattvet was transferred to Rookie League Billings. Disabled list - Outfielders Steve Selsky (left knee meniscus, retroactive to June 21) and Nick Benedetto (lower back strain) were placed on the 7-day DL.
The Week Ahead: The Bats begin a five-game homestand with a three-game series against IL North-cellar dwellar Syracuse (26-51) followed by a quick two-game set against division rival Columbus (41-36) before heading to Indy for a three-game series, which starts Saturday. Monday night’s game (which begins at 7:05 p.m.) against the Chiefs will be Peanut Allergy Awareness Night, so no peanut or peanut-based products will be sold or be allowed to be brought into Louisville Slugger Field. Meanwhile Friday night’s game against the Clippers will be Louisville’s July 3 Fireworks Extravaganza.
Photo courtesy Louisville Bats Facebook Page
