The Louisville Bats earned a 5-1 victory and a six-game series split against the Toledo Mud Hens on Sunday afternoon at Louisville Slugger Field.
Tony Santillan opened the game on the mound for the Bats, as part of a MLB Rehab Assignment. He pitched a perfect opening frame, recording a strikeout of the leadoff hitter, and being the beneficiary of an excellent diving play by shortstop Dominic Pitelli, who dove to his right to snag a hard-hit grounder, then quickly fired a throw across the diamond to record the out at first base.
Louisville’s offense threatened in the first, with a leadoff single by Francisco Urbaez and a bunt single from Edwin Arroyo. Mud Hens’ starter Dylan File (L, 6-8) held the Bats scoreless by rolling a double play before striking out Ivan Johnson, stranding the base runner at third.
Another rehabbing Reds pitcher, Brandon Williamson (W, 1-1), made his second appearance of the week for the Bats to begin the second inning. Williamson allowed the first two batters he faced to reach on a single and double, but once again, defense prevailed with a double play on a comebacker to the pitcher and a strikeout to end the top of the second.
Both offenses were held without a base runner in consecutive half-innings, with the Bats going down in order in the bottom of the second, and Williamson pitching a clean top of the third, including his second strikeout in as many innings.
Juan Brito struck his first home run as a member of the Reds organization in the bottom of the third, a towering three-run shot inside of the right field foul pole, affording the Bats a 3-0 advantage.
An inning later, Leo Balcazar doubled for his first extra-base hit since being promoted to Triple-A Louisville earlier this month. P.J. Higgins capitalized with the runner in scoring position, providing a two-out RBI single.
Toledo got a run back in the top of the fifth, when Jace Jung doubled home a run to end Williamson’s outing. The right-hander pitched 3.2 innings, allowing five hits and an earned run, complemented by two strikeouts. Cam Cotter entered in relief to record the inning’s final out via a strikeout, with the Bats leading 4-1.
Edwin Arroyo went deep for his 15th home run of the season in the home half of the fifth, a solo shot that reestablished the Bats’ four-run advantage.
Cotter dealt a clean sixth inning of continued relief, highlighted by another great defensive play, this time by first baseman Michael Chavis, who dove to snag a ground ball, then took it to the bag himself to conclude the inning.
Balcazar and Austin Hendrick reached base for the Bats with walks in the bottom of the sixth, but consecutive strikeouts from Higgins and Pitelli kept the Louisville lead at 5-1.
Johnathan Lavallee took over on the mound to open the seventh. He allowed a leadoff walk, the first allowed by a Bats pitcher on the afternoon, but worked his way to a scoreless inning with a strikeout and a 4-6-3 double play.
Arroyo doubled with one out in the bottom of the seventh, his third hit of the afternoon, placing him a triple shy of the cycle. Johnson later walked to the open base, but with Chavis at the plate, the inning ended on a grounder to shortstop.
Lavallee worked a clean eighth, preserving the Louisville lead. It was the fourth 1-2-3 inning of the game for Bats pitching.
Connor Phillips entered the ninth in a non-save situation with the Bats still leading by four runs. He struck out two and stranded a base runner that reached on a fielding error, cementing the Louisville victory.
Arroyo led the way for the Bats offense with his 3-for-4 performance that included a home run. Brito also homered, scoring three and ultimately providing the game-winning hit. Bats pitching struck out eight and allowed only one walk to support the early offense.
The Bats (54-64, 15-30 2nd half) begin a six-game series on the road against the Indianapolis Indians on Tuesday evening. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. from Victory Field. Nick Curran will be on the call for Sports Talk 790AM.