The Louisville Bats couldn’t come up with extra-inning magic two nights in a row.
The Bats, who rallied to force extra innings before beating host Columbus 7-4 in 11 innings Tuesday night, couldn’t do it again the next night.
Louisville reliever Sam LeCure hit Lonnie Chisenhall with a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the 11th to give the Clippers a 3-2 triumph Wednesday at Huntington Park in Columbus, Ohio.
The loss dropped the Bats (31-29) back into a tie with Columbus (31-29) for second-place in the International League West. The Indianapolis Indians (38-23) lead both by 6.5 games.
The setback also spoiled a second solid start for recent newcomer Layne Somsen, who gave up one earned run on three hits while walking four and striking out two in five innings.
The Clippers took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second when Somsen walked Jose Ramirez with one out. Ramirez moved to third on Carlos Moncrief’s single, then scored on Adam Moore’s ground out.
Louisville tied it in the top of the fourth on Josh Satin’s solo home run to left-center field.
The Bats took the lead when Ryan LaMarre led off the seventh with a home run to left-center.
Louisville’s lead didn’t last long, though.
Tyler Naquin’s RBI-single, off Bats reliever Nick Christiani, in the bottom of the inning tied it at 2-all.
It stayed that way until the 11th when James Ramsey led off with a double off LeCure, who came on after two solid innings of relief by Jimmy Moran. Ramsey moved to third on Francisco Lindor’s sacrifice bunt before LeCure walked Tyler Naquin with one out. Jesus Aguilar then lined out before LeCure walked Jerry Sands to load the bases. LeCure then got ahead in the count (1-2) before Chisenhall fouled off three straight pitches. With his seventh pitch, however, LeCure (2-3) hit Chisenhall to score Ramsey with the winning run, and absorb the loss on the mound.
Satin, LaMarre and Yorman Rodriguez led Louisville with two hits apiece.
The Bats, who went 1-2 on their quick trip to Columbus, return home for a seven-game homestand that begins Thursday night against Durham. Bats right-hander Donovan Hand (1-2, 4.15 earned run average) is scheduled to face Bulls left Everett Teaford (3-5, 6.95 ERA) in the opener. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. at Louisville Slugger Field.
As usual it will be Budweiser Beer Happy Hour with $1 Bud and Bud Light from 5:30-7 p.m. on the Overlook Deck. It's also Bellarmine University Alumni Night and UPS Store Toys for Tots Literacy Night (fans who bring a new children's book to the gates will receive a voucher for a free regular hot dog and small Pepsi).
Photo courtesy Louisville Bats Facebook Page
