At this rate Michael Lorenzen might not be in Louisville long.
The 23-year-old right-hander, who is one of the Cincinnati Reds’ top pitching prospects, had another solid start to lead the Bats to a 6-1 win over host Indianapolis on Thursday night at Victory Field.
Lorenzen, who pitched seven shutout innings in his Triple-A debut five days ago, gave up one earned run on six hits while walking one and striking out two in six innings in his second start to improve to 2-0. But he had help too.
Three relievers allowed only one hit over the final three innings while Louisville backed the Bats’ four hurlers with 11 hits and two runs in the first and ninth innings and single runs in the fourth and fifth.
With the win Louisville (4-4) moved into a tie for second place with Columbus in the International League West Division, one game behind Toledo.
The Bats got the ball rolling early against Indians starter Chris Volstad. Eugenio Suarez led off the game with a single to right field before red-hot Ivan De Jesus Jr. followed with one of his own. After Dan Johnson flew out Josh Satin sliced a double to right field to score both Suarez and De Jesus.
Louisville added to its lead in the top of the fourth when Irving Falu doubled with two outs then scored when Lorenzen reached on a throwing error by Indy shortstop Steve Lombardozzi.
Lorenzen’s only mistake came in the bottom of the fourth when he gave up a solo home run to Delbinson Romero.
De Jesus led off the fifth with a double to right field. He moved to third on Johnson’s fly out, then scored on Satin’s sacrifice fly.
That was more than enough run support for Lorenzen, who got out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the first and got some help from his defense, which turned a double play in the fifth.
Sam LeCure, newcomer Nick Christiani and Jose De La Torre combined to give up only one hit while walking three and striking out one.
Falu led Louisville at the plate with three hits while Suarez, De Jesus and Satin added two each. Saint finished with four RBIs.
The same two teams will face off at 7:15 p.m. Friday night in Indy before returning to Louisville for the final two games of the split-series. Right-hander Raisel Iglesias is slated to take the mound for the Bats and face Indy righty Casey Sadler.
MOVES: Right-handed pitcher Josh Smith was optioned to Louisville by the Reds on Wednesday, but is not on the active roster and will not pitch until Saturday. Smith went 10-7 with the Bats last year.
Photo courtesy Louisville Bats Facebook Page
