By Josh Cook
Luis Terrero is tearing up Triple-A pitching.
The recent Louisville Bats newcomer went 5-for-5 with five RBIs Tuesday night to lead them to an 11-0 win over the Buffalo Bisons at Louisville Slugger Field.
It was the fifth straight victory for Louisville (13-19).
Terrero began the season with the Bats, but played only two games before heading to the Carolina Mudcats - the Cincinnati Reds' Double-A affiliate.
He hit just .214 in 11 games there before he was re-assigned to Louisville on April 30. Since his return Terrero has terrorized opposing pitchers, going 10-for-16 (.625).
It was been perfect timing for the Bats, who lost hot-hitting slugger Juan Francisco to an appendectomy Monday. Terrero provided immediate help, hitting a three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh that gave Louisville its first come-from-behind win of the season.
Tuesday he singled in the first, third and fourth innings, hit a three-run homer in the sixth, then doubled in the eighth. Terrero, who turns 30 next week, singled home the first run of the game in the third. He added another RBI-single in the Bats' five-run fourth inning before his big blow in the sixth.
That was more than enough run support for a trio of Louisville pitchers. Starter Matt Maloney gave up only two hits while striking out four in the first four innings. Chad Reineke (1-3) picked up the win with three innings of relief before giving way to Jesus Delgado for the final two innings.
Terrero, though, didn't do it alone. Chris Burke, Wladimir Balentien, Drew Sutton and Corky Miller had two hits apiece. Miller, the veteran catcher who is hitting .391 so far this month, also had two RBIs and scored two runs while Balentien hit his third homer of the season in the eighth.
Buffalo starter Bobby Livingston (1-4) took the loss. He gave up nine hits and six runs (four earned) in only four innings.
The Bats will try to make it six in a row at 11:05 a.m. Wednesday morning against the Bisons (17-15).
