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Bats' pitcher Homer Bailey continues to laugh and strike out the mere
mortals that make up triple-A baseball. He has given up just one earned run
in his last 31.1 innings pitched.
Facing the one of the best teams in the International League on Wednesday, the Louisville Bats once again rode Homer Bailey (7-5, 2.83) to a victory, as Bailey threw eight shutout innings in leading Louisville to a 6-2 win over the Norfolk Tides in game three of a four-game set. After splitting the first two games of the series (see below), Louisville combined 10 hits and no errors with Bailey's filthy pitching to ensure at least a series split for the IL West division leading Bats, who were swept out of Norfolk earlier this season in a four-game set on the harbor. In Wednesday's victory, which is Louisville's 13th in their last 16 games, Bailey scattered seven hits over his eight innings, allowing just one free pass while fanning seven, helping Louisville move their record to a season-best five games over .500 (35-30).
Since being optioned back to Louisville on May 24th after one start with the Reds, Bailey has been straight nasty in four starts, allowing just one earned run in 31.1 innings of work. Three of Bailey's appearances since coming back to Derby City have resulted in the right-hander not allowing a run, and at one point his scoreless inning streak had reached 20. Since being drafted in the first round by the Reds in 2004, the native Texan has at times looked to like he could emulate everyone's favorite Texas-born pitcher, and Robin Ventura beater, the Ryan Express. While Bailey's consistency has at times wavered in his career, he hopes to continue his current run of success, as he has twice earned IL Pitcher of the Week honors in 2009.
When Bailey wasn't working over helpless Norfolk hitters on Wednesday, the Louisville offense was giving Tides' pitchers a Rick James-like slap across the face. The Bats put up runs in four different innings, including a three-run fourth that broke the game wide open. Norfolk's two runs didn't come until mop up time in the last inning when it was already a 6-0 contest, and Bats' manager Rick Sweet threw the Tides a bone by taking Bailey out of the game. Danny Dorn had his third three-hit game of the season for Louisville, driving in a run, while Luis Bolivar also reached base three times. Craig Tatum culminated the fourth inning rally with a two-run single that scored Bolivar and Darnell McDonald. Drew Stubbs also extended his hitting streak to nine games, and stole his league-leading 25th base of the season.
Tuesday-Bats 6, Tides 4: Behind the strength of three home run balls, Louisville was able to hold off several Norfolk rallies, as Louisville was up by three early and never relinquished the lead, but twice saw the Tides cut it to a one-run deficit. Drew Sutton got the power ball started in the third inning when he jacked a two-run homer, his fourth of the year, to make it 3-0. After Norfolk cut it to 3-2, Tatum went deep for the second time this year in the fifth on a solo shot to put the Bats back up two. Kevin Barker then went big fly for the second time in as many nights in the sixth to put Louisville up 5-3, and ensure that there would be no comeback win for the Tides. Barker also homered in the series opener, the only Louisville offense in a 5-1 victory for the Tides on Monday. Barker now ranks second on the team this season with nine dingers.
Bats' starter Ramon Ramirez (2-4, 4.52) went into the fifth inning, giving up three runs, although only one was earned. The right-hander earned the win, giving up six hits and one walk while striking out two. Jeff Kennard did the middle relief thing before Pedro Viola came on and got the final five outs for his fourth save of the year.
Louisville and Norfolk will close out their series on Thursday evening at Louisville Slugger Field with dollar beers being offered from 5:30 until first pitch at 7:05. Once Norfolk hits the road, the Gwinnett Braves will come to Louisville for a four-game set that runs Friday through Monday.
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