The Louisville Bats' stay in first place in the International League West lasted just one day as host Columbus rode three big innings to a 12-4 win over the Bats at Huntington Park on Friday night to retake first place in the IL West and end Louisville's eight-game win streak. 

The Louisville Bats, who were in fourth place in the International League West at the Triple-A All-Star break, moved into first in the division Thursday night. Louisville's 10-4 win over host Toledo, coupled with Columbus' 4-3 13-inning loss to Syracuse, gave the Bats a half-game lead over the Clippers in the West. Chris Valaika, left, and Wladimir Balentien each went 4-for-5 at the plate to lead Louisville's 17-hit attack.

The Louisville Bats won their seventh straight game Wednesday night, and their 18th in their last 19th, beating host Toledo 4-3 at Fifth Third Field. The victory pulled Louisville, which was 13 games out of first place in the International League West on the Fourth of July, within a half-game of division-leading Columbus.

New University of Louisville football coach Charlie Strong (left), as well as two of his assistants and several of his players, met with the media Tuesday to discuss the upcoming season. Here are a handful of the highlights.

Wladimir Balentien's two-run double in the top of the ninth gave he Louisville Bats an 8-7 win over host Toledo at Fifth Third Field as they improved to 9-2 in one-run games in July and August. Balentien, left, went 3-for-5 with five RBIs.

The Louisville Bats swiped six bases, including three by Zack Cozart (left), on their way to a 6-5 win at Toledo on Monday night. The victory - Louisville's 16th in its last 17 games - pulled the Bats within two games of Columbus in the International League West.

The 2010 USA Cycling Masters Road National Championships wrapped up over the weekend with Friday's road races in Cherokee Park and the criteriums Saturday and Sunday in Jeffersonville, Ind. Although no Louisville-area cyclist won national titles over the weekend, Brad Swope was a close second Sunday.

The Louisville Bats completed a four-game sweep of the Norfolk Tides over the weekend, beating them 8-7 Friday, 5-2 Saturday and 8-7 Sunday to move within 2 1/2 games of International League West-leading Columbus.

Three Louisvillians won gold medals Thursday in USA Cycling Masters Road National Championships. Tracy Tolson won the women’s 45-59 age group road race at Cherokee Park, while Matthew Lerner and Larry Stickler paired up for the win in the 70+ men’s tandem category.

Homer Bailey continued to show that he is ready to return to the parent Cincinnati Reds, giving up six hits while striking out nine over seven innings as Louisville beat Norfolk 6-0 Thursday night at Louisville Slugger Field. That helped Bailey extend his scoreless streak to 13 2/3 innings and tied the Bats for the International League lead in shutouts (12).