Late game drama would make things interesting; however, the Louisville Bats would bear down and emerge victorious, winning 6-4 in the series opener against the Nashville Sounds at Louisville Slugger Field Wednesday afternoon.
The Sounds got on the board early in the contest with a two-run home run. Michael Toglia would cut into that lead immediately, scoring one on an RBI triple in the bottom of the second. Francisco Urbaez would score Toglia three pitches later with a single, knotting the game up 2-2.
Nashville starter Robert Gasser would exit the game in the fifth after going 4.0 innings, giving up two runs on four hits. Ethan McGee would replace him, and the Bats would immediately take advantage. Hector Rodriguez would drive in a run on an RBI single, having Louisville take its first lead of the game, 3-2.
The Sounds would answer swiftly with a home run to tie things back up at 3-3 in the sixth. In the home half of the inning, the Bats put the pressure on, loading the bases with one out. Nashville pitching would escape unscathed after two strikeouts kept the game tied.
Bats starter Brandon Leibrandt would exit the game after going 6.0 innings, where he would strike out three and allow three runs on five hits. Hagen Danner would replace him in the seventh, but Nashville would put on pressure, placing runners on second and third with one out. A spectacular sliding grab by Rece Hinds and a fantastic off-balance throw by Edwin Arroyo would further the stalemate into the stretch.
With the game still locked up 3-3 in the eighth, Hinds looked to make his mark on an already remarkable performance. A walk would land him in prime position to make a massive impact, and he would deliver by swiping both second and advancing to third on a throwing error. Walks issued to both Ivan Johnson and Urbaez would lead to P.J. Higgins delivering a clutch two-RBI single to break the tie. Dayne Leonard would smack a single of his own, scoring another to stretch the lead for Louisville, 6-3.
Trevor Kuncl would record the first two outs of the ninth, but walked home a run with the bases loaded, ending his outing. Julian Garcia (SV, 1) filled in for the final out, and Louisville would hang on to get the win 6-4, and reach eight games over .500, for the first time this season.
Rece Hinds shined in his first game back with Louisville after spending 12 games with the Reds, reaching base every time he stepped up to the plate going 3-3 with a walk.
Zach Maxwell (W, 2-0) earned the win for his work in the eighth inning, blanking Nashville in their half. Junior Fernandez (L, 0-1) took the loss due to the three-run eighth inning for Nashville.
The Bats (21-13) continue their series against the Sounds (17-17) in a doubleheader on Thursday afternoon. First pitch is set for 4:35 p.m. EST at Louisville Slugger Field. Nick Curran and Jim Kelch will be on the call on Sports Talk 790.