ALLENTOWN, Pa. - The Louisville Bats (3-5) were defeated by the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (4-3) in game two of a four-game series at Coca-Cola Park. Louisville's offense blasted four home runs, but failed to match Lehigh Valley's torrid offensive streak in the 9-5 loss.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - The Louisville Bats (3-5) were defeated by the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (4-3) in game two of a four-game series at Coca-Cola Park. Louisville's offense blasted four home runs, but failed to match Lehigh Valley's torrid offensive streak in the 9-5 loss.
The Bats got off to a promising start in the top of the first, with left fielder Tyler Goeddel hitting a leadoff home run on the second pitch of the ballgame off Lehigh Valley starting pitcher Tom Eshelman (1-1, 5.40). Rosell Herrera would quickly follow suit, hitting a solo home run as the third batter of the game to give the Bats an early 2-0 lead.
For the second straight night and the fourth time already this season, the Bats would score first and fail to preserve their lead. Right-hander José López (0-2, 8.68) gave up a run in the bottom of the first, then settled in with scoreless frames the next two innings, before Lehigh Valley got to him in the fourth and fifth. Lopez's final line was 4.1 innings pitched, giving up seven earned runs on seven hits and two home runs, walking one and striking out three.
Nick Senzel went 2-for-5 out of the two-hole in the lineup, playing second base. The infielder has now registered four multi-hit games in his first eight games with Louisville, going hitless in the other four.
On Thursday night, Lehigh Valley's Matt McBride victimized Bats pitching with two home runs, including a grand slam. Tonight it was Dylan Cozens who tagged Bats pitching for multiple home runs, blasting a solo shot in the first and two-run shot in the fifth, both off Lopez.
In addition to Goeddel and Herrera's first inning home runs, first baseman Steve Selsky hit a solo home run in the fourth inning and center fielder Mason Williams smacked a two-run shot in the eighth, his first career homer in a Louisville uniform.
Louisville relief pitchers Kyle Crockett, Evan Mitchell and Jimmy Herget combined for 3.2 innings of work, surrendering two earned runs on four hits, walking two and striking out five.
Pedro Beato would register his league-leading third save of the season in what was Lehigh Valley's sixth straight home win over Louisville. Game three of the four-game series will be Saturday at 6:35 p.m. at Coca-Cola Park. Right-hander Domingo Tapia (0-0, 0.00) will make his first start of the season for Louisville, tossing 3.0 innings of scoreless relief in his first outing for the Bats this season. The Pigs will counter with left-hander Cole Irvin (0-0, 3.60) as they look to clinch the series.
