INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Indians got behind early and were unable to rally back falling, 5-4, to the Louisville Bats at home on Saturday night. Entering the ninth inning down 5-2, Indy sent seven batters to the plate and scored two runs, but left the tying and winning runs on base to end the game.
Louisville (18-32, 57-66) got to Indians starter Connor Wietgrefe (L, 4-4) early in the second inning to score three runs on three hits. Bats outfielder Jay Allen II hit a two-RBI double to score Michael Chavis and Leo Balaczar. Wietgrefe rallied and went 6.1 innings with three strikeouts and only gave up two earned runs with six hits. Saturday was his seventh start this season with Indy (30-20, 61-64) that went at least 6.0 innings.
Louisville was led by a 2-for-4 night at the plate from outfielder Noelvi Marte with one RBI and one run scored. Balcazar also went 2-for-4 with one RBI and a double in the second inning to get Louisville the lead early.
Indy got on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning when outfielder Ronny Simon lined a ball up the middle to bring home Cameron Barstad and Mitch Jebb to cut the Louisville lead to 4-2. Simon went 2-for-3 with two walks on the night. Jebb also went 2-for-5 on the night from the leadoff spot.
Indians reliever Evan Sisk came in and finished out the sixth inning behind Wietgrefe and then handed the ball to Noah Murdock. Brandon Neeck held Louisville scoreless in his one inning of relief.
Bats starting pitcher Brandon Williamson went 4.0 innings and struck out five batters with two hits and one earned run. Zach McCambley (W, 5-1) went 3.0 innings and struck out two batters and gave up two walks. Hunter Parks earned his seventh save this season, while RHP Darius Vines and RHP Cam Cotter were credited with holds.
The six-game series between Indianapolis and Louisville concludes on Sunday at 1:35 PM ET. RHP Khristian Curtis (3-1, 5.76) is scheduled to start for the Indians and LHP Kent Emanuel will start for Louisville tomorrow afternoon.