The Louisville Bats lost another wild one Wednesday night at Slugger Field to the Toledo Mud Hens, 12-9. Toledo’s offense scored the 12 runs on 21 hits, both a season high for the team.
It seemed as if the Bats took control after a six-run fifth inning highlighted by six walks and a three-run home run from Mike Costanzo. But Toledo responded with their own six-run inning in the sixth, four runs coming off reliever Jordan Smith, who had just been activated from the disabled list.
All but one Mud Hen had at least two hits and all but two scored a run in the drubbing. Eric Patterson, a former San Diego Padre, led the team with five hits. Brad Eldred stayed hot for the Mud Hens going 3-for-5 with a double, home run and five runs batted in. Eldred, who has 19 hits in 13 games, leads the league in all three categories.
On the flip side, every Bats player except Corky Miller had a hit in the game and all but three scored a run. The Bats drew 12 walks off of Mud Hens pitching, a season high for both teams. Neftali Soto led the team offensively with a 3-for-5 night with a double and two runs batted in.
The Bats, who have scored at least four runs in every game of the homestand, fell to 1-5 against Toledo and 5-9 overall. Toledo improved to 8-5 to give them a half-game lead in the International League West Division.
The two teams hook up for game three of the four game set Thursday at 6:35. Andrew Brackman (1-1, 8.10 ERA) takes the mound for the Bats against Brooks Brown (0-0, 3.38 ERA) of Toledo.
