The Bats bullpen couldn’t capitalize on Sam Benschoter’s strong start in a 4-3 loss to the Mud Hens on Saturday night at Louisville Slugger Field.
Benschoter was fantastic in his first start since June 21, as he walked one and struck out three over three hitless innings of work. The Bats' offense also remained hitless through the third inning.
Kevin Abel entered in relief in the fourth in his second appearance for Louisville this season. He walked one but threw a scoreless frame to keep the no-hitter intact.
Edwin Arroyo led off the bottom of the fourth with a single up the middle for the game's first hit. Two pitches later, Juan Brito launched a double off the wall in left field, and Arroyo beat the throw home to score the game's first run. Ivan Johnson joined the hit parade with a single of his own to score Brito, which increased the Bats' lead to 2-0.
Johnson was caught stealing second, but Michael Chavis walked and Leo Balcazar singled to further the rally for Will Banfield. The Bats' catcher lined a ball into right field to score Chavis, increasing Louisville’s lead to 3-0.
Francisco Urbaez knocked a single in the fifth, his 250th career hit with the Bats, but never moved past first.
Abel threw a clean fifth inning to continue the collective Bats no-hitter before it fell apart in the sixth. He walked two of the first three batters he faced before Chase Solesky came on to relieve him. Abel allowed two runs, walked two, and struck out two over 2.1 innings.
Toledo’s second baseman, Max Anderson, launched Solesky’s first pitch deep into the left-field seats for the Mud Hens' first hit of the day. The three-run shot tied the game at three.
After Cam Cotter tossed a scoreless seventh, Anthony Misiewicz entered in the eighth and allowed a double from Jace Jung that deflected off the first base bag, and a single by Josue Briceño scored him to give the Mud Hens a 4-3 lead. Hunter Parks walked two batters in a wild ninth inning but ultimately didn’t allow a run.
Louisville didn’t record a baserunner through the final two innings of the game and failed to overcome the 4-3 deficit.
Urbaez picked up the lone Bats multi-hit performance of the evening, and his second in as many days. Michael Chavis’ two walks were his ninth and tenth times on base through four games this series.
The Bats will take on Toledo in the final game of the series on Sunday at 1:05 at Louisville Slugger Field. Rehabbing Southpaw Brandon Williamson (0-1, 13.50) will make his third start for the Bats this season. He’ll face Dylan File (6-7, 5.27). Nick Curran and Jim Kelch will have the call on Sports Talk 790.