Four Home Runs Power the Bats 8-2 Over Columbus

LOUISVILLE, KY – Home runs from Alejo Lopez, Matt McLain, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand in a six-run fifth inning power the Louisville Bats (16-19) over the Columbus Clippers (16-19) by a score of 8-2 on Thursday night.

The Clippers scratched across the game's first run in the top of the fourth as they loaded the bases on four hits, taking a 1-0 lead.

Louisville finally got on the board in the fifth, exploding for six runs. Alejo Lopez set the tone for the inning, jumping on the second pitch he saw to send a solo home run over the right field wall to tie the game at 1-1. In the next at-bat, Will Benson smoked a triple off the wall in center field, followed by a walk from Elly De La Cruz. With no one out and two runners on, Matt McLain stepped to the plate and launched his team leading twelfth homer of the year to take the Bats first lead of the game at 4-1. Christian Encarnacion-Strand hit a home run of his immediately after McLain to extend the lead to 5-1. A double from Nick Martini and single from Chuckie Robinson added a final run in the inning, bringing the score to 6-1. Robinson’s two out single completed was the final piece to complete a team cycle in the fifth inning.

Bats starter Brandon Williamson (2-4, 6.62) earned his second win of the season in a 5.2 solid innings of work. Williamson allowed a single run on six hits on the night, striking out four while walking three.

Columbus got a run back in the top of the seventh on a walk and a pair of base hits to cut the Louisville advantage to 6-2.

Following a Lopez walk, Elly De La Cruz gave the Bats some insurance in the bottom of the eighth, blasting the fourth Louisville homer of the game to make the score 8-2.

Louisville reliever Alan Busenitz (0-0, 1.93) worked a clean ninth and struck out the game's final batter to secure the 8-2 victory for the Bats.

Game four of the six-game series between the Bats and the Clippers is scheduled for tomorrow, May 12, with first pitch from Louisville Slugger Field set for 7:15 pm E.T. Right hander Levi Stoudt (1-2, 5.09) will toe the rubber for Louisville while fellow righty Zach Plesac (1-0, 1.29) will take the mound for Columbus.