Author Archive for Nick
Buddy Bat helps out at Krispy Kreme’s “Donuts for Turkeys”
Today, the Krispy Kreme on Bardstown Road held their second annual “Donuts for Turkeys” to help feed those in need this Thanksgiving. All morning long, frozen turkeys were donated to Krispy Kreme and in exchange everyone who donated received a free dozen donuts. All of the turkeys will be donated to food pantries, shelters and churches throughout the area,
With two turkeys in hand, Buddy Bat decided to stop by Krispy Kreme and help out a great cause.
While Buddy Bat was there, WDRB’s Keith Kaiser just so happened to be live promoting the event. Buddy then went on camera to express his love for turkey and explain that he is a mammal and turkey is poultry, so it’s not in any way weird.
WDRB 41 Louisville – News, Weather, Sports Community
The turkeys will be distributed in our area with the help of Kentucky Harvest.
To find other ways to help, go to http://www.kyharvest.com
MiLB.com: Reds prospect Tony Cingrani talks about his rapid rise through the ranks
You could be forgiven if you hadn’t heard of Tony Cingrani before the 2012 season. Now you’ve got no excuse.
The Reds’ third-round pick out of Rice University in 2011, he debuted that summer in the Pioneer League with Rookie-level Billings. He went 3-2 with a 1.75 ERA for the Mustangs, giving a glimpse of what was to come.
Entering this season unranked among Cincinnati prospects by MLB.com, Cingrani tore through the California League, posting a 1.11 ERA and 71 strikeouts over 56 2/3 innings. It didn’t stop there as the 23-year-old left-hander notched five wins and a 2.12 ERA following a promotion to Double-A Pensacola.
Overall, Cingrani was 10-4 with a 1.73 ERA and finished second in the Minor Leagues with 172 strikeouts. By the end of the year, not only did he crack the Reds’ Top 20 Prospects (he’s currently No. 3), he’s ranked 57th overall by MLB.com.
The guys over MiLB.com talked to Cingrani about his rapid rise through the ranks. Below are a couple highlights. To read the entire article, click here.
MiLB:You started 2012 as something of an unheralded prospect and ended it on everyone’s top prospect lists. Did you enter the year with a bit of a chip on your shoulder?
Cingrani: No, I just go out and work hard and try to beat the guy that’s standing up at the plate. Just do what I need to do, and this was just the result of it.
MiLB:Some scouts think you’ll wind up in the bullpen in the Majors because they consider you a two-pitch pitcher. What would you say to that?
Cingrani: The numbers speak for themselves. Give me a chance to be a starter and we’ll see what happens. Until I fail, I should get a chance. I should be good to go next year.
MiLB:You got a chance to play with Billy Hamilton this year. Did you pick up any tips about holding baserunners on?
Cingrani: He’s just a different breed. You can’t catch him. He stole off me twice in instructs last year. He’s just got some ridiculous speed. I’ve got a pretty good pickoff move. Being a lefty, it’s easy to hold runners on.
David Bell named third base coach for Cubs
Good luck in Chicago, David!
On Tuesday, the Chicago Cubs announced that David Bell has been hired as the third-base coach under manager Dale Sveum. Bell spent one season in Louisville and finished with the worst record (51-93) in team history.
Bell replaces Pat Listach, whose contract with the Cubs was not renewed following the season. The Cubs finished 61-101, their worst record since 1996.
At 40 years old, Bell was the youngest manager in the International League and one of the youngest in Triple-A. He compiled a 227-332 record in his four seasons as a minor league manager, three at Double-Carolina and one at Triple-A Louisville.
He retired in 2006 after a 12-year playing career, including stints with St. Louis, San Francisco, Philadelphia and others.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Reds management had not announced a new manager in Louisville.
Let’s get the Reds a win today!
The Louisville Bats media relations staff is live in Cincinnati helping out Rob Butcher and his staff for the NLDS. We really appreciate Rob and the rest of the guys giving us this opportunity. Here’s a shot as Giants manager Bruce Bochy addresses the media prior to Game 5.
Come on!!!! Let’s get the Reds a win this afternoon.
Louisville Bats release 2013 schedule
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Louisville Bats will open their 2013 season at Louisville Slugger Field on Thursday, April 4 versus the Toledo Mud Hens. Eleven of the Bats’ 72 home games will fall on Saturdays, including Thunder Over Louisville on April 20.
New in 2013, the Bats will feature promotional giveaways on Saturdays, including a Corky Miller and an Aroldis Chapman bobblehead giveaway, along with three cap giveaways. Season ticket packages that are highlighted by these giveaway nights are available for as low as $80!
Louisville also has home games on Memorial Day (Monday, May 27 vs. Columbus), a Fourth of July Fireworks Show (Wednesday, July 3 vs. Indianapolis) and Labor Day (Monday, September 2 vs. Indianapolis). Throughout the summer, the Bats will continue to host the ever-popular Budweiser Game Time Happy Hours on Thursday nights and post-game fireworks will highlight Friday nights. Sundays will again be highlighted by Kids Run the Bases and the Kids Inflatable FunZone.
The 2013 season marks both the franchise’s 14th year of baseball at Louisville Slugger Field and 14th year as the Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.
Full and partial season tickets, along with group outings and suite rentals, are available by calling the Bats front office at (502) 212-2287.
Be sure to check out the official site of the Bats at BatsBaseball.com, ‘like’ the Bats on Facebook at facebook.com/LouisvilleBats, and follow the Bats on Twitter at twitter.com/LouisvilleBats. You can also keep the Louisville Bats at your fingertips by downloading the team’s free iPhone or Android app.
2012 Louisville Bats Final Game Notes
BATS LOSE FRANCHISE-HIGH 93 GAMES: At 51-93, LOU finished 38.0 GB in the IL West and 42 games under .500. The 38.0 GB in the division and 42 games under are both all-time franchise highs. With 92 losses, the Bats also tied a franchise high for losses in a season. The 1991 Redbirds set the previous high for GB, losses and games under .500 when they finished the season 30 GB in the American Association Eastern Division 51-92. The Bats lost 13 of their final 14 games to set franchise lows. Prior to their losing season this year the Bats secured six consecutive winning seasons. It marked only the third time in the 135 year history of Louisville professional baseball that an organization had sustained a winning season in six straight years. The best stretch in Louisville professional baseball history was when the Louisville Colonels went 9 straight seasons with a winning record from 1913-1921.
J.J. HOOVER NAMED MARY E. BARNEY TEAM MVP: RHP J.J. Hoover was named the 2012 Mary E. Barney Award winner, which recognizes the team MVP. Past recipients have included Joey Votto, Zack Cozart and Devin Mesoraco. He went 4-0 with 13 saves and a 1.22era in 30 games this season. He converted 13 of 14 save opportunities. He has allowed an earned run in just four of 30 appearances. In 37.0 innings pitched he allowed just 15 hits and opponents hit just .121 against him. He had 55 strikeouts to just 12 walks. In 18 games at LSF, he went 2-0 with nine saves and a 0.82era. On the road he went 2-0 with four saves and a 1.80era. He was recalled twice by Cincinnati on 4/24 and 8/23.
100 CLUB: OF Felix Perez had a team-leading 118 hits, while IF Neftali Soto is second with 114. They were the only Bats with 100-plus hits. Last year the Bats had six players reach that plateau, led by Devin Mesoraco and Jerermy Hermida, who both had 126 (Dorn 111, Valaika 109, Alonso 106, Cozart 100). Perez also lead the Bats with a .301 avg. He reached a season-high .302 on 8/25, which was a 106-point jump since 5/15 when his average sat at .196. His 118 hits are a career high. His previous high was 91 in 2011 (CAR-84, LOU-7). He is hitting .321 at home and .277 away from LSF. His monthly average had improved every month until he hit .330 in August. In April he batted .226, May .228, June .327, and July .352. His 28 multi-hit games are second on the team and he leads the team with seven three-hit games. He recorded four hits 6/26 at BUF (4-5, 2 2b). Perez is also tied for the IL lead with 16 outfield assists with Brett Carroll of SYR. He has set career high in numerous categories. For a full breakdown turn to his player profile. Soto leads the team with 30 multi-hit games. He also leads the Bats in games (122), at-bats (465), runs (55), doubles (30), RBI (59), and total bases (186). He is second to Denis Phipps (15) in home runs with 14.
HERE FOR THE DURATION: The Bats had 11 players that were on their roster the entire season (Corky Miller, Felix Perez, Neftali Soto, Chris Valaika, Nick Christiani, Carlos Fisher, Sean Gallagher, Josh Judy, Chad Reineke, Kanekoa Texeira, Travis Webb). Miller, Christiani, Fisher, Reineke, and Webb were on the active roster the entire year while the other six players spent time on the DL. Last year only six players were on their roster the entire season (Scott Carroll, Danny Dorn, Jerry Gil, Michael Griffin, Corky Miller, Kristopher Negron) and just Dorn, Gil and Negron were on the Bats active roster the enitre season.
ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE: Shortstop Didi Gregorius will represent the Reds in the 2012 Arizona Fall League and will play for the Peoria Javelinas. Gregorius spent time in 2012 with Double-A Pensacola, Triple-A Louisville and made his Major League debut with the Reds following his call-up in September. He played in 81g with PEN, batting .278 with 11 2b, 8 3b, 1 hr and 31 rbi. He was promoted to LOU on 7/10 and played in 48g, batting .243 with 10 2b, 3 3b, 6 hr and 23 rbi. He was recalled by CIN on 9/1 and made his debut on 9/5 vs. PHI, going 0-for-4. He will be joined the AFL by IF Billy Hamilton, IF Donald Lutz, and RHP Drew Hayes.
HOME STRUGGLES: The Bats went 29-42 at home this season and secured their first losing season at home since they went 35-37 in 2005. Their 42 losses at home rank second worst in franchise history. The franchise’s most home losses since 1982 was 44 in 1991 when they finished the year at 27-44 at Cardinal Stadium.
ROAD DIFFICULTIES: LOU went 22-51 on the road this season and set the franchise record for road losses in a season. The 1997 Redbirds set the previous franchise high for road losses when they were 22-49 away from Cardinal Stadium. LOU played 73 road games this year due to the home rainout 5/31 vs. SYR being made up at SYR on 6/6 as part of a doubleheader in which LOU dropped both games. Last year, LOU was 33-39 on the road.
DEFENSIVE DISTRESS: From the start of the season until the end of play 7/13, the Bats committed just 59 errors in 94 games and led the IL in fielding percentage at .983. Their 59 errors were tied with SWB for the lowest total in the IL. From 7/14 on the Bats committed a league-high 55 errors in 50 games and dropped to tenth in the league in fielding percentage at .979.
VS. THE TRIBE: The Bats went 4-18 against the Indians this season and 3-8 at Louisville Slugger Field. Their winning percentage against IND was just .182, which is a series low. Their previous low winning percentage against Indy was .187 when they went 3-13 in 2000. The Bats hit just .212 and have scored 60 runs (2.73rpg) against the Indians. Their era was 4.98. This will mark the Bats’ first season series loss to the Tribe since 2004 (7-9). Last year, the Bats went 12-10 against the Tribe and 5-6 at Louisville Slugger Field.
HOW THE WEST WAS LOST: The Bats did not just struggle against the Indians in the IL West. Overall, they went 18-46, with a 11-21 record at home and a 7-25 mark on the road. They went 7-14 against both TOL and COL. They were 5-5 at home against the Clippers and 2-9 on the road while going 3-8 against the Mud Hens at home and 4-6 on the road.
DOT, DIGGITY: The Bats went 22-72 when their opponent scored first and 29-21 when they scored first. Their opponent scored first in 94 of 144 games… LOU was 16-72 when being outhit by their opponent. They were 31-13 when outhitting their opponent… The Bats went 13-40 against teams starting a LHP and 38-53 against teams starting a RHP… As a team, the Bats are last in IL with their .241avg and their 4.71era… The Bats used 4 or more pitchers in 105 of 144 games (1 pitcher: 1x, 2: 13x, 3: 25x, 4: 76x, 5: 17x, 6: 7x, 7: 4x, 8: 1x).
WALK THIS WAY: The Bats walked 578 batters on the year, which lead the IL. LOU has a 1.72 k/bb ratio (991k/578bb). Their 578 walks are the most in a season since they walked a franchise-high 586 in 1999 and ranks third all-time. They walked 580 in 1984.
ATTENDANCE: Louisville finished the 2012 season sixth in all of Minor League baseball with 8,143 fans per game. The Bats have averaged 9,040 fans since Louisville Slugger Field’s opening in 2000 and have totaled over 8.2 million attendees through 13 seasons.
AUGUST WOES: The Bats started August with a record of 4-2. Following the first six games they went 4-19 for a record of 8-21. Their most losses ever in August was 22 in 1993 when they went 9-22. This marks the Bats’ ninth consecutive full month without a winning record. They have not recorded a winning record in a full month since they went 16-7 in April of 2011. They batted .226 with a 5.06 era in August and averaged 3.0 runs per game. The lone Bats to hit over. 250 in August in 20 or more games are Felix Perez (.330), Neftali Soto (.301) and Denis Phipps (.258). Didi Gregorius (.198), Cody Puckett (.156), Henry Rodriguez (.198), and Chris Valaika (.178) all hit under .200 in 20 or more games played.
BRING MY BELL: Cincinnati assigned new Bats manager David Bell to Louisville in the offseason after spending the past three seasons managing AA Carolina (176-239, .424), his first managerial job. A Cincinnati native, Bell played for Louisville as a Redbird in parts of 1995, 1996 and 1997 while in the St. Louis organization. Bell enjoyed a 12-year ML career (.257, 123hr, 589rbi) between Cleveland (twice), St. Louis, Seattle, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Milwaukee. Bell’s grandfather, Gus, grew up in Louisville and had a 15-year ML career, including nine years with Cincinnati. Gus (1951) and David (6/28/04) are the first grandfather-grandson combination in ML history to hit for the cycle.
SOFT-J GOES HARD, NAMED IL PLAYER OF THE WEEK: IF Paul Janish began the season with two home runs on opening day. In the Columbus series he hit .429 (6-14) with two doubles, two home runs and three runs batted in en route to being named the IL Player of the Week. Last season the Bats only IL Player of the Week was Juan Francisco from 8/15 to 8/22. Through five games, Janish led the team with 7h, 15tb, .429obp, .789slg and 1.218ops. He was tied for the team lead with 4r, 2 2b and 2hr. He recorded his first career multi-HR game on 4/5 at COL, hitting solo shots in the 7th and 9th innings. The second gave LOU the lead for good at 5-4. Janish hit just one HR (7/20 with LOU vs. GWN) in all of 2011 between 127g and 379ab with LOU and CIN.
APRIL SHOWERS: That Bats went 9-16 in the month of April, setting the franchise-high for losses in that month. The previous high was 15 losses in 1997 (11-15), 1999 (7-15) and 2010 (7-15). The Bats batted .228 and had a 4.88 era in April.
MAY SOURS: The Bats finsihed 8-21 in the month of May, which is the smallest win total in the month of May since baseball returned to LOU in 1982. Previously their fewest amount of wins in May was 11 in 1996 (11-17) and 2006 (11-16). The least amount of wins in any full month, excluding April and September, was seven in July of 1991 (7-22). The team’s 21 losses in May is also the most in team history, surpassing the teams in 1991 and 2009 that each went 12-19. The team’s 21 losses in May is the second most in team history. The 1993 team went 9-22 in August. In May, the team era was 4.12 (262.1ip, 120er) and their batting average was .232. They scored 93 runs (3.21rpg) in May.
SHUT EM’ OUT: On 6/3 vs. DUR, LHP Jeff Francis threw a complete game shutout (9.0ip, 7h, 0r-0er, 1bb-4k). It was the first shutout of any kind for the Bats this year and they were the last team in the IL to record a shutout. The last shutout for the Bats was a 7-inning game on 6/6g1/11 at COL (Dontrelle Willis, Jerry Gil, Nick Christiani) and their last 9-inning shutout was 5/8/11 at BUF (Matt Maloney, Daniel Rey Herrera, David Johnson). The last complete game was Edinson Volquez on 7/22/11 vs. CHA (9.0ip, 5h, 2r-2er, 0bb-9k). The last Bat to throw a complete game shutout was Sam LeCure on 5/12/10 vs. SWB (9.0ip, 1h, 0r-0er, 2bb-5k). Francis has six complete game and five shutouts in his career. He has three Minor League shutouts and two Major League shutouts. His last complete game came on 5/14/11 vs. DET while with KC (L, 8.0ip, 7h, 3r-3er, 1bb-4k). His last shutout was on 8/29/07 at SF, while he was a member of the Colorado Rockies (9.0ip, 6h, 0r-0er, 1bb-3k).
CLEAN YANKEE SWEEP: From 6/18 to 6/21, the Bats swept Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for the first time in team history. It was the Bats’ first four-game sweep since they swept SYR at LSF from 5/30/11 to 6/2/11. The Bats took the 2012 season series from SWB 6-2. The six wins against SWB ties the most ever by a Bats team in a season. LOU also went 6-2 against SWB in 2008. The Bats’ sweep was the first of the year and was also just their second series win of the season, the other coming 4/13-4/16 when they took three of four from COL in their first home series of 2012.
PUCKETT NAMED IL BATTER OF WEEK: IF/OF Cody Puckett hit .560 (14-25) during the week of 6/19 to 6/25 en route to being named the IL Batter of the Week. He scored nine runs, knocked in seven and launched his first career Triple-A home run on June 19 against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Paul Janish was the only other Bat to be named IL Batter of the Week this season.
#TEAMGRIT: The Bats won nine straight from 6/18 to 6/26. Last season the Bats won a season-high eight straight games twice (4/8 to 4/15, 5/30 to 6/6g1). With sweeps vs. SWB and at PAW, it marked the first time that the Bats swept two consecutive four-game series since 2003 when they swept ROC and BUF at the end of May. The Bats have not won ten straight since they won 11 in a row from 7/22 to 8/3 in 2010.
EIGHT-GAME SLIDE: The Bats lost a season-high eight straight games from 6/27 to 7/4. The eight-game slide came off the heels of a season-high nine-game winning streak. Prior to the streak, the Bats had not lost eight straight since they lost nine straight from 4/23/10 to 5/2/10. During the eight game skid, the Bats were outscored 58-20. RHP Pedro Villarreal recorded the lone quality start during the streak and starters recorded the loss in seven of eight games, excluding Villarreal. During the eight games, starters allowed 34 earned runs in 38.2ip (7.91era). The bullpen allowed 18 earned runs in 33.0ip (4.91era). Overall, pitchers had a 6.53era (52er, 71.2ip) during the eight game skid. Offensively, they hit .201 (55-273) and averaged just 2.5rpg (20r/8g). Their defense suffered through the streak as well, committing 12 errors in eight games, including a season-high four on 6/30 vs. IND.
DIONER-ABLE NAVARRO NAMED IL ALL-STAR: Despite being selected , C Dioner Navarro was unable to play in the 2012 Triple-A All-Star Game because of a hamstring strain. The PCL downed the IL 3-0 in Buffalo, NY. Navarro led the team with 18 multi-hit games and five three-hit games at the break. The switch hitter had a .335avg through 49g this year and batted .427 at Louisville Slugger Field and .417 against lefties. He hit .419 (26-62) in June. Defensively, he threw out 21-of-54 would-be base stealers, good for a .389 clip. He missed time earlier this year due to kidney stones. Navarro was a 2008 American League All-Star with the Tampa Bay Rays. That season he batted .295 with 7hr and 54rbi. He caught eight innings in the MLB All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium and singled in the 15th inning to contribute to the AL’s game-winning rally. Last season the Bats tied a franchise high with four players selected to the IL All-Star Team (Yonder Alonso, Zack Cozart, Jeremy Hermida, Devin Mesoraco). Overall, he played in 62g with the Bats, batting .319 with 12 doubles, five home homes and 32 RBI, while throwing out 22 of 65 would-be base stealers, for a .338-clip. He had his contract purchased by Cincinnati on 8/1 and was later optioned. On 8/21 he was recalled and spent the rest of the year with CIN.
BATS SCORE FRANCHISE-HIGH 22 RUNS: On 7/13 vs. GWN, the Bats scored a franchise-high 22 runs. The previous high was 21 on 9/1/03 vs. COL. Their previous high for runs scored this season was 11 (6/16 vs. ROC, 6/21 vs. SWB). The seven runs in the second inning marked a season-high for the Bats, just two off of the franchise high of nine, which has been accomplished nine times. Their previous high was six (4/18 vs. TOL, 4/28 at NOR, 6/21 vs. SWB, 7/13 vs. GWN). The 23 hits were just one off of the franchise high of 24 (5/3/10 at BUF). Their previous high this season was 16 (6/18 vs. SWB, 6/23 at PAW). The Bats were 12-for-20 with runners in scoring position and raised their average with RISP from .221 to .230. Seven players had multi-hit nights, including a five-hit game from Denis Phipps and three-hit games from Didi Gregorius, Henry Rodriguez, Xavier Paul, and Cody Puckett. Phipps’ five-hit game (5-6, GS, 3R, 4RBI, BB, K) raised his average from .158 to .180. The five-hit game was the first of his career. He previously had two four-hit games (6/25/11 w/Car vs. Huntsville – 4-4, 2B, 3B, 2R, RBI, BB; 8/12/06 w/GCL at GCL Pirates – 4-5, HR, 2R, 2RBI). Five players scored three runs (Phipps, Rodriguez, Soto, Navarro, Puckett) which tied a season-high accomplished 13 times. Soto’s five RBI were a season-high until Phipps record six RBI on 8/19 vs. COL.
GRAND SALAMI: C Dioner Navarro’s grand slam in the first inning on 8/16 vs. CHA was his second of the season and the Bats’ seventh overall slam of the year. With seven grand slams on the year the Bats tied a franchise record (2007, 2000, 1984). Six of their grand slams came in a little over a month’s span as Denis Phipps and Chris Valaika hit the second and third of the year on 7/13 vs. GWN. Navarro followed that with his walk-off grand slam on 7/14 vs. GWN. He is the second Bat to hit two grand slams this year and joined Neftali Soto (5/20 at LHV, 7/19 at COL). They are the first to do it since Devin Mesoraco did it in back-to-back games on 8/18/10 and 8/19/10. The only player in LOU franchise history to hit three in a season is Brandon Larson, who did it in 2002.
WILLIE TWO TIMES: OF Willie Harris went 2-for-5 with two home runs on 8/22 at IND. He led off the game with a home run, marking the third leadoff home run of the season for the Bats. Daryl Jones did it on 4/6 at COL and Kristopher Negron did it on 5/21 at LHV. It marked the third two-HR game of the year. Paul Janish did it on opening day and Denis Phipps did it on 8/19 vs. COL. The home runs were the second and the third on the season for Harris.
WALK-OFF WINS: The Bats had four walk-off wins in 2012. Daryl Jones hit a walk-off three-run homer on 4/22 vs. IND and Dioner Navarro hit a walk-off grand slam on 7/14 vs. GWN. Did Gregorius’ walk-off solo home run on 7/25 vs. BUF gave the Bats a 5-4 win and Willie Harris hit a walk-off single on 8/18 vs. COL. It marked Gregorius’ first career walk-off home run. Last year the Bats had eight walk-off wins and three were via the home run.
AUGUST WOES: The Bats started August with a record of 4-2. Following the first six games they went 4-19 for a record of 8-21. Their most losses ever in August was 22 in 1993 when they went 9-22. This marks the Bats’ ninth consecutive full month without a winning record. They have not recorded a winning record in a full month since they went 16-7 in April of 2011. They batted .226 with a 5.06 era in August and averaged 3.0 runs per game. The lone Bats to hit over. 250 in August in 20 or more games are Felix Perez (.330), Neftali Soto (.301) and Denis Phipps (.258). Didi Gregorius (.198), Cody Puckett (.156), Henry Rodriguez (.198), and Chris Valaika (.178) all hit under .200 in 20 or more games played.
#CORKBLAST: C Corky Miller hit his seventh and final home run of the season on 8/11 at GWN. In that game he finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored. He finished the season fourth in Louisville franchise history with 46 career home runs, fourth in RBI with 211 and fourth in games at 474. He has played in 89 games this season and batted .235 with eight doubles, seven home runs and 29 RBI. In 2011, he played in just 49 games and had just six doubles, three home runs and 11 RBI. He threw out 27 of 61 base stealers, good for a .443-clip in 2012.
TRANSACTIONS: Louisville made 126 roster moves in 2012: April (14), May (18), June (32), July (31), August (22), September (9). A total of 52 players appeared with the Bats this season, 26 position players and 26 pitchers. 52 players is the fewest amount of players used since the RiverBats used 51 in 2000. In 2011, the Bats used a total of 61 players. Louisville had four players sent down from the Reds on Major League Rehab (IF Scott Rolen, IF Joey Votto, LHP Bill Bray, RHP Nick Massett).
MAJOR LEAGUE DEBUTS: Eight players who spent time with Louisville in 2012 also made their Major League Debut: IF Mike Costanzo, IF Didi Gregorius, IF Kristopher Negron, OF Denis Phipps, IF Henry Rodriguez, RHP J.J. Hoover, RHP Todd Redmond, RHP Pedro Villarreal.
To read the rest of the 2012 Final Game Notes, click here.
8/30 at Columbus Game Notes
DOT, DIGGITY: Denis Phipps went 2-for-4 last night with two doubles and is hitting a season-high .221. He is hitting .293 when batting leadoff and .174 (37-213) when batting elsewhere… The Bats are 22-68 when their opponent scores first and 29-20 when they score first. Their opponent has scored first in 90 of 139 games… LOU is 16-65 when being outhit by their opponent. They are 31-13 when outhitting their opponent… The Bats are 13-37 against teams starting a LHP and 38-51 against teams starting a RHP… The Bats walked two hitters last night and have walked 552 on the year, second toTOL (554) for the most in the IL. LOU has a 1.74 k/bb ratio (962k/552bb). Their 552 walks are the most in a season since they walked a franchise-high 586 in 1999… LOU is 28-39 in the second half and 18-29 since the All-Star break…LHP Travis Webb’s 53 games rank third in the league… As a team, the Bats are 14th in IL with their .242avg and 13th with their 4.62era… The Bats have used 4 or more pitchers in 102 of 139 games (1 pitcher: 1x, 2: 12x, 3: 24x, 4: 73x, 5: 17x, 6: 7x, 7: 4x, 8: 1x).
ON THE MOUND: RHP Chad Reineke makes his 26th start of the season and will be opposed by LHP David Huff. This will mark his 68th career start in a LOU uniform, which ranks 4th all-time. His 105k this season are second on the team behind Todd Redmond (133). He was 2-0 in his previous four starts and allowed just 4er in 25.1ip (1.42era) prior to making his lost three appearances. In his last three appearances, two starts, he is 0-3 with a 9.00era (14ip, 14er). In his last start on 8/25 at TOL he recorded the loss after allowing three runs in 6.0 innings. 12 of his 25 starts have been quality starts and the Bats are 11-14 when he takes the hill. The Bats lost seven straight starts by Reineke from 4/29 to 6/4. His ERA at home is 4.85 and 4.52 on the road. Righties are hitting .310 against him and lefties are hitting .272. This will mark his fifth start of the season against COL this season (0-2, 8.50) and his 12th overall (3-5, 6.12). Reineke went 9-7 with a 3.84 era in 25 games (22 starts) with the Bats last season. He appeared in two games last year with CIN, making one start (5/31 vs. MIL, L, 6.1ip, 5h, 6r-5er, 5bb-2k, 2hr).
AUGUST WOES: The Bats started August with a record of 4-2. Since then they have gone 4-17 for a record of 8-19. Their most losses ever in August was 22 in 1993 when they went 9-22. This marks the Bats’ ninth consecutive full month without a winning record. They have not recorded a winning record in a full month since they went 16-7 in April of 2011. They are batting .226 with a 4.83 era in August and are averaging 3.2 runs per game. The lone Bats hitting over. 250 in August in 20 or more games are Felix Perez (.321), Neftali Soto (.302) and Denis Phipps (.258). Didi Gregorius (.186), Cody Puckett (.143), Henry Rodriguez (.196), and Chris Valaika (.194) are all hitting under .200 in 20 or more games played.
DEFENSIVE DISTRESS: From the start of the season until the end of play 7/13, the Bats committed just 59 errors in 94 games and led the IL in fielding percentage at .983. Their 59 errors were tied with SWB for the lowest total in the IL. Since then, they have committed a league-high 50 errors in 45 games and dropped to eighth in the league in fielding percentage at .979.
100 CLUB: OF Felix Perez had a team-leading 112 hits, while IF Neftali Soto is second with 110. They are the only Bats with 100-plus hits. Last year the Bats had six players reach that plateau, led by Devin Mesoraco and Jerermy Hermida, who both had 126 (Dorn 111, Valaika 109, Alonso 106, Cozart 100). Perez also leads the Bats with a .295 avg. He reached a season-high .302 on 8/25, which was a 106 point jump since 5/15 when his average sat at .196. His 112 hits are a career high. His previous high was 91 in 2011 (CAR-84, LOU-7). He is hitting .321 at home and .274 away from LSF. His monthly average has improved every month. In April he batted .226, May .228, June .327, July .352. and he is hitting .321 thus far in August. His 26 multi-hit games are second on the team and he leads the team with seven three-hit games. He recorded four hits 6/26 at BUF (4-5, 2 2b). Perez is also tied for the IL lead with 16 outfield assists with Brett Carroll of SYR. He has set career high in numerous categories. For a full breakdown turn to his player profile. Soto leads the team with 29 multi-hit games. He also leads the Bats in games (117), at-bats (449), runs (52), doubles (28), RBI (57), and total bases (180). He is second to Phipps (15) in home runs with 14.
H-ROD STREAKING: IF Henry Rodriguez has recording a hit in a season-high eight straight games. During the streak he is batting .294 (10-34) with two doubles and 3 RBI. Despite the 8-game hitting streak, he is hitting just .196 in August and has 24 strikeouts in 107 at-bats.
AVOIDING RECORDS: At 51-88, LOU is 34.0 GB in the IL West and 37 games under .500. The 34.0 GB in the division is the franchise’s all-time high and the 37 games under .500 is the season’s worst mark. The 1991 Redbirds were 30 GB in the American Association Eastern Division after their 51-92 season. Their 92 losses are a franchise record . LOU must win two of their final five to avoid 92 losses. The Bats are 29-40 at home this season and with two games remaining at LSF and have secured their first losing season at home since they went 35-37 in 2005. Their franchise’s most home losses since 1982 was 44 in 1991 when they finished the year at 27-44 at Cardinal Stadium.
ROAD WOES: LOU is 22-48 on the road this season and lost 11 straight prior to their win on Sunday. The 1997 Redbirds set the franchise record for road losses when they were 22-49 away from Cardinal Stadium. With three road games remaining, they would need to win each game to avoid tying that mark. LOU will play 73 road games this year due to the home rainout 5/31 vs. SYR being made up at SYR on 6/6 as part of a doubleheader in which LOU dropped both games. Last year, LOU was 33-39 on the road.
Four home games remain on the Louisville Bats schedule
LOUISVILLE BATS CLOSE 2012 SEASON, HOST GOVERNOR’S CUP WATCH PARTY
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Louisville Bats will host the first of their final four home games of the 2012 season Tuesday, August 28 at Louisville Slugger Field with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch against the Columbus Clippers, Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The Bats will play two games against the Clippers on August 28 and 29 before finishing their season with two games against the Indianapolis Indians, Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, on September 2 and 3.
The original 6:05 p.m. game time for September 2 has been changed to 7:05 p.m. and gates will open to suite holders and club seat holders at 3 p.m. so fans may watch the Governor’s Cup football game. Gates for non-suite/club level ticket holders will open at 5 p.m. The game will be shown on the left-field video board until first pitch nears. The game will also be available in suites and at the Jack Daniel’s Bar and Lounge. Labor Day Eve Fireworks will follow the Bats game. As a part of the Bats’ Fan Appreciation Weekend, fans will be able to enjoy $1 hot dogs and $1 Pepsi products on both Sunday, September 2 and Monday, September 3.
Prior to the 1:05 p.m. first pitch of the September 3 game, the Bats will host a softball game featuring the Wounded Warrior Amputees taking on the Local Media Celebrities at 11 a.m. The softball game will last until 12:15 p.m.
Fans can visit the Bats online at www.batsbaseball.com. Group outings and suite rentals are available by calling the Bats front office at (502) 212-2287. Tickets are available at the Louisville Slugger Field box office, online at www.batsbaseball.com/singlegametickets or by calling the Bats ticket office directly at (855) 228-8497. Regular hours at the Louisville Slugger Field box office and for ordering tickets by phone are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Be sure to check out the official blog of the Bats at www.thebatssignal.com, ‘like’ the Bats on Facebook at facebook.com/louisvillebats and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/louisvillebats.
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Louisville Bats Homestand Highlights • August 28 – September 3, 2012
Tuesday, August 28 – Louisville Bats vs. Columbus Clippers, 7:05 p.m.
- $1 Hot Dogs and Pepsi Products
Wednesday, August 29 – Louisville Bats vs. Columbus Clippers, 7:05 p.m.
- Ladies Night presented by Sun Tan City
Sunday, September 2 – Louisville Bats vs. Indianapolis Indians, 7:05 p.m.
- Governor’s Cup Watch Party: Gates open at 3 p.m. to suite and club seat holders
- Kids Inflatable FunZone: Kid’s inflatable play area will be set up in the Hall of Fame Pavilion from 5 to 8 p.m.
- $1 Hot Dogs and Pepsi Products
- Postgame Fireworks presented by LG&E
Monday, September 3 – Louisville Bats vs. Indianapolis Indians, 1:05 p.m.
- Wounded Warrior Amputees vs. Local Media Celebrities Softball Game: Gates open at 10 a.m.
- $1 Hot Dogs and Pepsi Products
- Meijer/Pepsi Baseball Bingo
- Meier Monday: $2 off field reserved ticket with Meijer register receipt
