The Louisville Bats have two series under their belt, and one more road trip before heading back home. The Bats went 2-4 against one of the top clubs in the Triple-A East, and now head to Tennessee to play a new opponent.
Great start, sluggish finish in Gwinnett
As eluded to in the opening, Louisville went 2-4 against the Stripers. They won two of the first three games, but dropped the last three. If the minor leagues played a MLB-type schedule (either three or four-game series) they would have won or split the first series. Though they would have been swept in the second series.
Louisville opened the series with a three-run first inning, and three-hit the Stripers for a 4-0 shutout victory. Bats starter Ashton Goudeau threw a gem of a game, throwing five innings with only one hit and three strikeouts.
The Bats dropped game two 5-0 before out-slugging the Stripers 8-7 in Thursday’s victory. Vladimir Gutierrez struck out eight in five innings, but gave up three runs (all earned) and a home run. Nicky Delmonico and Alfredo Rodriguez both homered in the win.
Louisville lost 2-1 Friday, 11-1 Saturday, and 5-4 Sunday. They are currently 3-8 and tied for sixth in the Triple-A East Midwest division.
A new series against an unfamiliar foe
Louisville heads to Memphis for a six-game series against the Redbirds starting Tuesday. Memphis is a former Pacific Coast League team, and an unfamiliar opponent with Louisville. Due to restructuring, they are in the same league now.
Memphis has struggled this year. The Redbirds enter the series with a 4-8 record. They are similar with Louisville. Memphis went 1-5 in their first series (The Bats went 1-4), and 3-3 in their second. Tony Santillan (0-1, 1.13 ERA) takes on Matthew Liberatore (0-2, 5.25) in game one.
The Bats return to Slugger Field on Tuesday, May 25th against the Toledo Mud Hens.
