Louisville Bats Notes: July 6

BATS SPLIT THE SPLIT SERIES: Louisville took two of four games from the Indianapolis Indians over the clubs' split series from July 2-5 at Louisville Slugger Field (7/2-7/3) and Victory Field (7/4-7/5). The Bats won by a 5-2 score in the finale on Thursday behind a stellar pitching performance from right-handed starter Robert Stephenson . Tonight Louisville starts its final series before the All-Star Break, against the IL West-leading Toledo Mud Hens.

AGAINST TOLEDO: Louisville and Toledo meet for the sixth of eight series this season, and the third of four at Louisville Slugger Field. During their last matchup, a four-game series at Fifth Third Field from June 28-July 1, the Bats dropped the first couple before winning the final 2 games. For the overall season series, TOL has outscored LOU 81-72, outhomering them 23-10. It's the third time in the last 4 seasons that the Bats and Mud Hens will meet in the final series before the All-Star Break.
REDS CALL UP DILSON: Today the Cincinnati Reds selected the contract of infielder Dilson Herrera . In 50 games with Louisville this season, Herrera is batting .297 (55-for-185) with 10 doubles, 7 home runs, 27 RBI and 19 walks, with a .367 OBP and .832 OPS. When he debuted with the New York Mets in 2014, he was the youngest player in the National League at the age of 20. The primary piece in the trade that sent OF Jay Bruce to New York, Herrera will make his first big league appearance since October 3, 2015.
START OF THE YEAR: Right-hander Robert Stephenson had a phenomenal start on Thursday, going 6.0 innings and striking out a career-high 12 Indianapolis Indians. He did not allow a run, allowing just one walk and 2 hits on 96 pitches (62 strikes). His start is the best for a Louisville pitcher by game score (82) this season, besting the previous-high set by Stephenson himself on April 11 vs. Columbus (77). The 12 K's are the most for a Louisville pitcher since RHP Keyvius Sampson struck out 12 on June 2, 2016 vs. Toledo.
BUZZIN' FOR A DOZEN: Louisville is currently 11.5 games back of the IL West Division lead, the first time they have been 12 or fewer games back since May 16, when they were 12.0 out of first place. With the division-leading Mud Hens at LSF for the weekend series, the Bats have the opportunity to gain ground before the All-Star Break.
50 FOR .500: Tonight marks the Bats' 50th game of the season that they will be facing a team with a record above the .500 mark, accounting for 60% of the team's games. LOU is 20-29 (.408) against above-.500 clubs and 14-19 (.424) against teams .500 or worse.
THAT'S QUACK-TASTIC: Right-hander Kevin Quackenbush has been one of Minor League Baseball's most dominant relief pitchers in 2018, recording his 13th save for Louisville Thursday night. The IL All-Star ranks second in the league with his 13 saves. Quackenbush won the most recent IL Pitcher of the Week award, notching 3 saves from June 25 to July 1. His 16.0 strikeout-to-walk ratio (2 BB, 32 K) easily ranks best among IL relievers.
P.E. IN JULY IS HOT: Outfielder Phillip Ervin went 2-for-3 with a home run last night, his third of the season. He's batting .389 (7-for-18) in 5 July games with 2 runs, one double, one triple and one home run, with 4 RBI and 3 walks.
THE MELLA OF LOUISVILLE: The Bats added right-hander Keury Mella to their roster today from Class AA Pensacola. Mella made one start for Louisville back in 2016, giving up one run in 7.0 innings vs. Indianapolis.