The Louisville Bats got a big performance from veteran Dioner Navarro en route to a 4-2 victory Monday night. Navarro, who was 0-for-14 coming into the 11-game homestand, went 2-for-4 with two runs batted in to lead Louisville to their second straight win over division rival Indianapolis Indians.
Navarro finished the homestand 11-for-18 with a homer and seven runs batted in. That brings his overall average to .343 in 11 games played.
“I think it was just a matter of time,” Navarro said. “The more you play, the better you’re going to get.”
Navarro doubled home Paul Janish in the fourth inning for the Bats’ second run of the night. Two batters later, Bill Rhinehart scored on Chris Valaika’s sacrifice fly that would ultimately be the winning run.
The Bats got a second straight good outing from their starting pitching. Chad Reineke started for Louisville and went six strong innings allowing a run on just four hits, walking three and striking out four.
“He’s had good starts all year,” manager David Bell said. “Tonight he came out real aggressive and got ahead. He had a little more velocity on his fastball.”
“He threw the ball well,” Navarro said. “Our game plan was to get ahead of the hitter and he did that.”
Once again, Louisville’s bullpen was stellar. Nick Christiani, Ron Mahay, and Jordan Smith combined to pitch the final three frames giving up just one run. Christiani and Mahay each picked up their first hold and Smith, although he gave up a run in the ninth, picked up his first save.
For the first time in six games, the Bats dented the scoreboard first with a tally in the second inning. Paul Janish hit a one out double and advanced to third on a wild pitch by Indians starter Justin Wilson. Janish scored when Navarro tapped a slow dribbler up the third base line that caught the Indians by surprise.
Louisville added an insurance run in the seventh inning on Janish’s double that scored Neftali Soto. Janish, who has been off to a hot start, rose his season average to .344 with two homers and four runs batted in over 11 games.
The teams travel to Indianapolis Tuesday for game four of the five game split series. It is the Bats’ first game of a 12 game, 13 day road trip that includes trips to Norfolk and Durham.
The Bats will send Andrew Brackman (0-0, 6.32 ERA) to the hill Tuesday. He will be opposed by Jeff Locke (1-1, 4.80 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:05.
