
The Louisville Bats are struggling as of late, having lost five games in a row going into Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Indians. The Bats are currently 5-12 on the young season and sit 5.5 games back of the first place Columbus Clippers in the International League West Division.
Starting struggles
The Bats’ struggles can be directly correlated with the lack of effective starting pitching. They have just four quality starts (six innings pitched with three earned runs or less) in their first 17 games and haven’t had a starter pitch into the seventh inning. The Bats are 3-1 in those quality starters and their starters have a combined earned run average of 6.72.
Brackman loves the road
After a solid start April 9 at Toledo in which he went six innings giving up just one run on four hits, walking one and striking out four, Andrew Brackman has been shelled. In his next start on April 14 against Columbus, Brackman recorded just two outs while giving up five runs in the first on four hits and two walks before being removed. On April 19 against Toledo, he gave up five runs on six hits and five walks in just four innings of work.
Late to the party
Bats opponents have scored first in 11 of their 17 games this season, including all five games of their current losing streak. The Bats are 1-10 in games in which their opponent scores first. On the contrary, the Bats are 4-2 when they score first. Louisville has yet to record a win when trailing after seven innings (0-11).
Home sweet home?
The Bats are at the tail end of a 11-game homestand. They are 3-6 in that time. But a couple players have found their stroke since returning to Louisville Slugger Field. Dioner Navarro, who was 0-for-14 in five games on the road, is 9-for-14 (.643 average) in four home games with a home run and five runs batted in. Navarro recorded three straight multi-hit games from April 14-17. Denis Phipps has also caught a little bit of fire after starting slow. Phipps hit just .077 on the opening road trip. Since coming home, Phipps has played in all nine games and is 8-for-34 (.235 average) with three doubles, one home run, and seven runs batted in.
On the road again
After games with Indianapolis Sunday and Monday, the Bats take to the road for two in Indianapolis Tuesday and Wednesday. After an off day, Louisville heads to Norfolk for a four-game series with the Tides. They then head to Durham for a four-game series with the Bulls before heading back to Indianapolis for two games. That equates to a twelve game, thirteen day road trip before they return home May 7.