Oops!... The Bats’ bullpen did it again.
Playing off the song lyrics of the venerable Britney Spears may be the best way to sum up the Louisville Bats’ 3-2 loss at Buffalo on Sunday afternoon.
The host Bisons rallied for three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, resulting in the fifth blown save of the season for the Bats’ bullpen, to keep Louisville from completing its first series sweep at Buffalo in seven years. The loss also ended the Bats’ season-best three-game winning streak.
Despite the defeat Louisville (10-14), which was seeking its first sweep at Buffalo since 2008, still pulled off only its second series win on the Bisons’ home field since joining the International League in 1998.
The first four frames of the game were a pitchers’ duel between Louisville left-hander David Holmberg (0-3) and Buffalo southpaw Randy Wolf (3-0).
The Bats broke the scoreless tie in the top of the fifth inning when Irving Falu and Ryan LaMarre led off with back-to-back singles before Eugenio Suarez reached on Wolf's throwing error, which allowed Falu to score.
Holmberg, who had struggled in his first four starts of the season, was solid in six innings, only allowing five hits while walking two, and appeared to be on his way to his first victory. The likelihood of that increased after the top of the eighth. That’s when Buffalo reliever Todd Redmond gave up a single to Steve Selsky, a double to Yorman Rodriguez then intentionally walked Chris Dominguez, all with one out, before being replaced by Steve Delabar (2-0).
Ramon Cabrera greeted the Bisons’ new pitcher with a sacrifice fly to left field to score Selsky.
However in the bottom of the inning the Bats' bullpen blew it.
Louisville reliever Donovan Hand walked Matt Hague with one out, then gave up a single to Chris Colabello before being replaced by Nate Adcock. The big right-hander from Elizabethtown got Kevin Nolan to fly out before his wild pitch allowed Hague and Colabello to each move up a base. Brad Glenn then tripled to center field to score Hague and Colabello. Glenn also ended up scoring on the play due to a throwing error by Suarez, Louisville shortstop.
The Bats tried to rally in the top of the ninth against Buffalo closer Bo Schultz. Falu led off with a single to right field before LaMarre flew out. Suarez then singled before Ivan De Jesus Jr. flew out to center. Schultz then walked Selsky, prompting a coach’s visit to the mound, to load the bases. Schultz, however, settled down and struck out Rodriguez to end the game.
Adcock (0-2) absorbed the loss thanks to his third blown save of the season. Sam LeCure and Jose De La Torre have the Bats’ other blown saves.
Louisville lost despite out-hitting the Bisons 11-8. Suarez, Rodriguez, Cabrera and Falu each tallied two hits apiece for the Bats. Falu’s 2-for-4 performance raised his batting average to .400.
After completing its five-game road trip, Louisville now returns home for six straight games at Louisville Slugger Field. The Bats begin a three-game series against Lehigh Valley at 6:35 p.m. Monday evening. Louisville right-hander Jon Moscot (3-0, 2.16 earned-run average) is scheduled to go against Iron Pigs lefty Joely Rodriguez (0-2, 7.43 ERA).
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