The Bats entered the final regular season game 1/2 game behind the Columbus Clippers in the division; this was a MUST-WIN for the Bats to claim the division title and to enter the IL playoffs as division champs, not as a Wild Card entry. Their recent skid ensured that a win today wasn't a 'sure thing,' but in front of a Labor Day crowd of over 8K, they pulled off the exciting win and their 3rd consecutive division title.
IND 3 6 1
LOU 6 8 3
As always this time of year, with several key players in the squad already called up to Cincinnati (and this year, for a good reason), pulling together a division championship is no easy task for Rick Sweet. Todd Frazier had a big night, 2 for 3, with 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 HR and a SB. New guy Sean Henry, just called up from the AA Carolina Mudcats a couple of days ago, also did well (2 for 4, 1 run and 2 RBI from his smashing 1st inning bases-clearing double). Dave Sappelt (another recent call-up) did his part of the heavy-lifting batting 2 for 4 with a 2-out HR in the 2nd inning. Ben Jukich...WOW! He had a no-hitter going into the 6th inning. Nice work!!
Brad Lincoln didn't deliver the goods for the Indians, lifted after 2.1 innings - Akinori Iwamura started at 3B for the Indians but was lifted after the 5th, either as part of his rehab assignment strategy or as part of his bobbling a Wilkin Castillo grounder to 3rd that brought in 2 runs.
Speaking of errors, the Bats nearly cost themselves the game with a few doozies, 2 committed by Castillo and one by Zack Cozart.
NOTABLE GAME EVENT: Buddy Bat, our beloved purple mascot was EJECTED in the mid 4th by 1B Umpire for heckling a 'poor call' at 1B.
Akinori Iwamura on deck for the Indians
Akinori Iwamura at bat
Ben Jukich delivers to Aki...struck him out!!
Brad Lincoln fires to Todd Frazier
Micah Owings
Congratulations, Bats...off to the playoffs! A bittersweet heralding of the end of local baseball for me...the last regular season game. I hear fall calling off in the distance...I can't believe the summer is over, and soon, baseball season.
Official Scorecard and BatChat
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