The Louisville Bats took down the Omaha Storm Chasers 5-4 on the back of solid pitching and two big flies by a new team leader in homers at Louisville Slugger Field Tuesday night in the opener of a six-game series.
Omaha struck first in the opening frame, as Kansas City Royals rehabber Vinny Pasquantino knocked an RBI single to snag an early 1-0 lead. The Bats quickly responded, however, with a double by their own rehab infielder, Ke’Bryan Hayes. Shortly after that, Hector Rodriguez crushed yet another homer, his 20th of the season, putting Louisville up 2-1 in the first.
The Storm Chasers fired right back with a two-run shot of their own, as Gavin Cross put them back up in the second 3-2.
It did not take long for the Bats to tie things up. Rodriguez took things into his own hands once again for his 21st homer of the season, this time a solo shot in the bottom of the third to right, knotting things up at three.
With two outs in the bottom half of the fifth, Omaha called on reliever Dan Altavilla to get them out of the inning. Storm Chasers starter Mitch Spence delivered 4.2 innings of work for Omaha. He allowed three runs on five hits and struck out seven.
Louisville starter Brandon Leibrandt (W, 4-3) posted a quality start for the Bats, notching 6.0 innings, allowing three runs, two of which were earned, and striking out five.
Louisville finally broke the tie in their half of the sixth when Will Banfield smoked a ball just out of reach of the diving Omaha shortstop, deflecting off his glove. That ball trickled to the outfield, allowing Michael Chavis to come across and score. A wild pitch scored Austin Hendrick as Louisville claimed a 5-3 lead.
A bloop hit scored one for Omaha, putting them within one run going into the stretch.
Pat Kelly made another call to his bullpen, this time bringing in a familiar face, but not in his usual place in the pitching order. Chase Petty came in during the eighth and shut things down, posting a clean inning in the eighth while striking out two in his first Triple-A relief outing.
Hunter Parks (S, 4) came in for Louisville to put the game away, and after giving up a leadoff walk, he struck out the side to end the game, wrapping up the 5-4 win.
Rodriguez was strong on the offensive side for the home team, as his two homers were key in the win. Genesis Cabrera (L, 2-5) took the loss for allowing the tie to be broken in the sixth.
The Bats (44-41, ) continue their series with the Storm Chasers (38-49) on Wednesday night. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. EST on Tuesday at Huntington Park. Nick Curran and Jim Kelch will be on the call on Sports Talk 790.