On a frigid Thunder Over Louisville Saturday, the Louisville Bats put together an uninspired performance, losing to the Indianapolis Indians 9-1 before a sell-out crowd of 13,131. The loss extended Louisville’s losing streak to five games and dropped their season record to an abysmal 5-12.
The Bats managed just four hits on the afternoon and went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position, bringing their season total to 27-for-158—an average of .171.
As a contrast, Indianapolis went 5-for-12 with runners in scoring position, improving their season total to 41-for-139—an average of .295.
Bats starter Jeff Francis went five innings giving up five runs on six hits, walking one and striking out three.
The Bats had a chance to get back into the game in the fifth inning. Trailing 5-0, Paul Janish walked and Corky Miller singled to start the inning. Janish advanced to third base on a sacrifice fly from Brian Rhinehart, putting runners at the corners with one out. The next batter, Daryl Jones, grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Two of Louisville’s hits came from Denis Phipps, his first multi-hit game of the season. Phipps, who is off to a slow start, rose his batting average to .167 on the season after batting .077 in the first eight games of the season. Phipps also has at least one hit in seven of the nine games this homestand. Phipps is 8-for-35 on the homestand, an average of .235.
The Bats’ lone run came in the eighth inning when Miller walked and stole second to start the inning. He would score two batters later on Jones’ groundout to first.
Louisville and Indianapolis play game two of their five game split series Sunday at 2:05. The Bats send former Indian Sean Gallagher (0-2, 13.03 ERA) to the mound against Rudy Owens (0-0, 4.50 ERA). For tickets, call 502-212-2287.
