Louisville Bats Notes: 8-23-19

Game 130, Away 67
Louisville Bats (53-76) at Indianapolis Indians (62-67)
RHP Keury Mella (8-12, 4.80) vs. RHP James Marvel (4-0, 2.15)
7:15 PM | Friday, August 23, 2019 | Louisville Slugger Field
LISTEN: Nick Curran & Jim Kelch, 790 KRD; iHeartRadio.com; iHeart app

TONIGHT'S GAME: Louisville and Indianapolis will play 5 of their remaining 11 games against each other this season, with Friday night's matchup marking the first game between the clubs since the All-Star break. Right-hander Keury Mella makes his sixth start against the Tribe this season, with Louisville hoping to snap its 5-game losing streak that has seen them fall to 20-20 in the second half.
AGAINST INDIANAPOLIS: The Bats and Indians begin a three-game series with an odd twist; the first 2 games will take place at Victory Field, with Sunday's game traveling down I-65 for a Louisville Slugger Field finale. The clubs last met in a three-game series from July 1-3 at LSF, with the Bats taking 2 of 3 to earn their second straight series win, the first time LOU had won back-to-back series since winning 5 straight from July 16-Aug. 1, 2018.
RENAISSANCE MAN: Third baseman Christian Colón went 1-for-2 with a walk, sac fly and stolen base on Thursday night in Columbus. The swipe of second base was his team-leading 24th stolen base, most in a season for Louisville since Jason Bourgeois finished with 24 stolen bases in 2014.
- Colon is one of just 6 minor leaguers with at least 30 doubles, 10 home runs and 20 stolen bases this season, and he's the only one of the 6 to reach those marks while walking more times (56) than he's struck out (55).
FOUR FOR FOUR: The Bats recorded 4 stolen bases last night, tying a season-high for the fourth time this season. Narciso Crook (2), Colon and Jose Siri registered the steals for Louisville. LOU has tied its season-high on April 4 at Toledo, April 20 vs. Indianapolis, May 9 vs. Syracuse and last night at Columbus.
PITCHING SINCE JULY: In 47 games since July 1, Louisville's pitching staff is tied with the Syracuse Mets for second in the International League with a 4.06 ERA, trailing only the Gwinnett Stripers' 3.97 ERA. Louisville's pitching staff did, however, combine to allow 11 walks last night, which set a new season-high and were the most since LOU walked 13 batters on June 14, 2017 at Charlotte.
HOME RUN WATCH: Louisville has 159 home runs through 129 games, currently tied for third all-time in club history, and on pace for approximately 173 home runs. With their next home run, the Bats will have tied their single season record since they have been affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds.

TRANSACTIONS: Right-hander Tyler Mahle was activated off the injured list and optioned by the Reds on Thursday, needing room on Louisville's 25-man roster when he reports to Triple-A. In 2 rehab starts this season, he's 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA (4er/4.0ip) with 2 walks and 7 strikeouts for Louisville. IF Derek Dietrich left his rehab assignment with LOU, batting .182 (2-for-11) in 3 games.