Michael Lorenzen was as good as advertised.
The 23-year-old right-handed pitcher, who is rated as the Cincinnati Reds’ No. 4 prospect by MLB.com, almost single-handedly took down Toledo on Saturday night to lead the Louisville Bats to their first victory of the season, a 5-0 triumph over the visiting Mud Hens at Louisville Slugger Field.
A first-round pick by the Cincinnati Reds out of Cal State Fullerton in the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Lorenzen gave up only three hits while walking two and striking out three in seven splendid innings to pick up his first Triple-A win in his debut.
Led by Lorenzen on the mound and Yorman Rodriguez at the plate the Bats also gave new manager Delino DeShields his first Triple-A triumph. Rodriguez, one of the Reds’ other top prospects, went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and three runs scored.
The Bats backed up Lorenzen with three runs in the second, one in the third and one in the sixth.
In the bottom of the second Rodriguez singled with one out and advanced to second on a passed ball before Ivan De Jesus walked with two outs. Bryson Smith followed with a single to center to score Rodriguez before Irving Falu walked to load the bases. Then Eugenio Suarez, a former Mud Hen, doubled down the left-field line to score De Jesus and Smith.
In the third Rodriguez homered with two outs to make it 4-0.
Three innings later Rodriguez led off with a single. He scored two batters later on De Jesus’ doubled to center field.
That was more than enough for Lorenzen, who went 4-6 with a 3.13 ERA last year at Double-A Pensacola. He retired the side in the second, third and fourth frames and allowed only two singles and a double.
The Bats and Mud Hens wrap up their season-opening four-game series at 2:05 p.m. Sunday afternoon. Cincinnati Reds pitcher Homer Bailey will make a rehab start for the Bats on Sunday. The right-hander, who is 22-16 with a 3.52 ERA all-time with Louisville and 58-50 with the Reds, is nearing a return to the majors following an elbow injury. Sunday, as they will every Sunday this season, the Bats will wear camouflage jerseys to benefit the Kentucky-Indiana Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America. Koetter Construction will proved the jerseys, which will be auctioned off after the season with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the local PVA chapter.
Sunday is a day for the kids at Slugger Field. New this year, all children 12 & under who are accompanied by a paying adult will receive a free ballpark meal that includes a hot dog, junior nachos and a small soda. To receive the meal voucher all children must visit the Bats sales information table behind Section 115. As always the Kids Inflatable FunZone will be open before, and during, the game (from 1-4 p.m.) and after the game kids will be allowed to run the bases.
Photo courtesy Louisville Bats Facebook Page
