Just when it looked like a relief pitcher was going to win the game for the Louisville Bats on Monday night, a relief pitcher lost it for them.
Pitcher Nick Christiani’s two-run double in the bottom of the fifth inning gave Louisville a 6-5 lead on visiting Indianapolis. In the top of the sixth, however, another Bats reliever, Sam LeCure, gave up a pair of runs as the Indians rallied for a 7-6 victory at Louisville Slugger Field.
The loss with the fifth in a row for Louisville (6-11), which is 3 and 1/2 games behind the International League West Division-leading Indians and Columbus, both of whom are 10-8.
Things looked good early for Louisville, which was coming off a four-game sweep at Columbus, as it plated one run in the bottom of the third inning.
Ryan LaMarre led off with a walk, moved to second on Irving Falu’s bunt single, then scored on Ivan De Jesus Jr.’s single to left field. The Bats could’ve had more, but the next batter, Steve Selsky, hit into a double play.
The Indians tied the game in the top of the fourth on Steve Lombardozzi’s RBI-single.
Indy took the lead in the top of the fifth, when it plated a trio of runs thanks to Jose Tabata’s RBI-single - which chased Louisville starter David Holmberg - as well as Deibinson Romero’s sacrifice fly and another Lombardozzi RBI-single.
The Bats struck back, though, in the bottom of the inning with a five-spot. Bryson Smith led off with a single, then stole second before scoring on De Jesus’ RBI-single. De Jesus took second on the throw home, then scored on Selsky’s single to left. Selsky stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Indy catcher Tony Sanchez before Chris Dominguez walked. Eugenio Suarez then greeted new pitcher A.J. Morris with an RBI-double to left field before Christiani followed with his two-RBI double to right.
Indy trimmed Louisville’s lead to one on Pedro Florimon’s ground out in the top of the sixth before taking the lead in the top of the seventh. That’s when LeCure (0-1) gave up a leadoff single to Romero, then walked Sanchez and Lombardozzi before pinch-hitter Mel Rojas Jr.’s two-run single to center chased him.
The Bats had only two baserunners the rest of the game. In the bottom of the seventh pitcher Jose De La Torre, who struck out five in two innings after relieving LeCure, singled with one out. He was erased moments later, though, when he was caught stealing.
In the bottom of the ninth De Jesus singled with two outs, but Indy reliever Blake Wood struck out Selsky to end the game and earn his fifth save of the season. A.J. Morris (1-0) picked up the victory with 1 and 1/3 innings of relief of starter Chris Volstad.
Louisville out-hit Indy 13-10 led by De Jesus, who went 4-for-5 with two RBIs as he raised his batting average to .383. Falu added a pair of hits for the Bats.
The same two teams will play a doubleheader, beginning at 11:05 a.m., Tuesday. In the first game Louisville right-hander Dylan Axelrod (1-1, 2.89 earned-run average) will face fellow righty Casey Sadler (1-0, 2.08 ERA). In the second game, Bats right-hander Jon Moscot (2-0, 1.54) will face southpaw Charlie Leesman (3-1, 4.91 ERA).
TRANSACTIONS: Christiani and second baseman Hernan Iribarren were assigned to Louisville from Billings (Mont.), the Cincinnati Reds Rookie League affiliate, on Monday, when the Bats also placed outfielder Donald Lutz on the seven-day disabled list with a sprained right elbow.
Photo courtesy Louisville Bats Facebook Page
