Bats Drop Series Finale To Sounds 8-0

The Louisville Bats fell short of a fifth straight series victory by dropping the finale of a six-game set against the Nashville Sounds, 8-0, at Louisville Slugger Field on Sunday afternoon.

Chase Petty (L, 2-3) took the ball for the Bats, returning from a start earlier this week with the Cincinnati Reds. Nashville’s offense created trouble early, leading off with a nine-pitch at-bat, resulting in a single. The Sounds pieced together two more singles in the inning and scratched across two runs on a single from Jeferson Quero.

Despite the Bats’ propensity to score in the first inning, they currently lead the International League in runs scored in the first frame with 40; Sounds starter Garrett Stallings (W, 2-2) retired the side in order.

The Sounds remained in attack mode to open the second, with a leadoff drive to center field that resulted in a fine leaping catch at the wall by Rece Hinds. Two singles followed from the bottom of the batting order, placing runners on the corners. A sacrifice fly scored one to expand the Nashville lead to 3-0.

Petty dealt his first and only scoreless inning in the third by stranding a runner on third base with two outs. In the home half, Ivan Johnson drew a leadoff walk, which was quickly neutralized by a ground ball double play, followed by an inning-ending strikeout. The Bats remained hitless one turn through the order.

A challenging start turned troublesome after 3.2 innings pitched, as Petty exited the game accompanied by the trainer, following his second and third walks of the afternoon. Hagen Danner was thrust on in relief and navigated a walk of his own to escape a bases-loaded jam.

In search of offense, Noelvi Marte notched the first Bats hit with a two-out single up the middle. One pitch later, Hinds popped out to end another scoreless inning. The Sounds capitalized on two walks in the fifth, scoring one on an RBI single from former-Bat Jacob Hurtubise and a second on an RBI double from Jett Williams.

Nashville’s lead would swell to 8-0 by way of a three-run eighth, and the final 10 Louisville batters were held hitless to conclude the contest.

Bats pitching issued eight walks in the game, with Nashville’s top two hitters, Williams and Cooper Pratt, being the greatest beneficiaries with two walks apiece. Louisville’s offense was held to four hits and shutout for only the third time this season, making the moms the only thing worth celebrating for Bats fans on a picturesque Mother’s Day matinee.

The Bats (23-16) continue their homestand with the opening of a six-game series against the Indianapolis Indians on Tuesday evening. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. at Louisville Slugger Field. Nick Curran and Jim Kelch will be on the call for Sports Talk 790-AM.