7/8/2015 Indianapolis Indians 2, Louisville Bats 3

Louisville Slugger Field, Louisville, KY

Game 2 of 3

My very first look at Robert Stephenson. He has amazing stuff, doesn't need any fancy pitches to fool batters, and once he gets his command worked out, he'll be a very elite pitcher...someday. In his second start for Louisville, he faces...OH GAWD, NO, NOOOOO IT'S CHRIS VOLSTAD!

My scoresheets, using my pitch-counting method! Read about it HERE, download the scoresheets for free HERE!

Stephenson faces former Padres prospect and all-around great name champion, OF Jaff Decker

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, it's Brent Morel, playing 3B for the Indians and here, about to fly out at Stephenson's hands

Hide your kids, hide your wife...Chris Volstad, the Beast of the Abyss, pitches to 2B Irving Falu

Louisville's Hero of the Month, RF Brennan Boesch, singles to right center field...

...former Bats stalwart, IF Kristopher Negron (who's back in LOU to stay, apparently) races to third, and would eventually score on an error committed by IND 2B Alen Hanson

Clute, TX native RHP Brad Lincoln is back with the Pirates org after a couple of years with Toronto and Philadelphia...he's been a reliever since Pittsburgh traded him to Toronto for Eric Kratz; here he faces swtich-hitting LOU C Ramon Cabrera

...pretty much every pitcher tonight has the "legs up" at the end of their delivery, so you could say there were a lot of legs in the air tonight...

One guy who isn't leaving his legs in the air for nobody is RHP Jumbo Diaz, still looking rather svelte, striking out IND 1B John Bowker to end the 8th inning...on his way to a 4-out save for the Bats

My Mystery Rookie Card pick for the night...well, it's not really worth its weight in gold, but the sticker says $12 and I am just fine with that.

Official Program (featuring Chris Dominguez) and Scorecard

Ticket (International Man Of Mystery Felix Perez)

Bat Chat and Gameday Stats

If you enjoy my work, I encourage you to spread the word via Twitter 

(I am @yoshiki89), and also please leave a comment!

9/6/10 Indianapolis Indians 3, Louisville Bats 6

Louisville Slugger Field, Louisville, KY

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

4/14/10 Indianapolis Indians 3, Louisville Bats 0

Louisville Slugger Field, Louisville, KY

Home Opening Night (Game 1 of 2)

Great expectations totally fulfilled - with the exception of one minor detail, the Bats LOST to the visiting Indianapolis Indians (affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates).

You couldn't ask for better weather (it's quite unusual to attend a game in these parts in April when it's 80+ degrees out), and the matchup (as far as pitching) was outstanding...a wild pitcher's duel with enough ups and downs to keep an average baseball fan in suspense, albeit with a bit of predictability; it became clear after a few innings of play what kind of pitch you were going to see next from either starter.

You could also tell which hitters the pitchers 'read' well and which ones they stuggled with. Defensively, both teams had enough finesse to handle plays, and there were a few riotious acts of baseball insanity (including a dramatic inning-ending 9-4-2 putout at home) so it wasn't an 'ordinary' pitcher's duel.

IND 3 8 0
LOU 0 4 0

The Bats' Travis Wood pitched 6.2 remarkable innings, with 3 consecutive 1-2-3 innings. Also notable: he went 2-2 in 2 plate appearances, best game average of the entire lineup. The Indians' Brad Lincoln had the edge only due to the silenced advantage of his backup offense. The Indians worked like bears to get the 3 runs they had by the end of the game.

Indians RF Brandon Moss' pop fly to short that ended the Indians' 4th induced a rocketing Broken Bat that flew within 5 feet or so of landing in the Club Level right in front of us. A great souvenir to bring home, providing you catch it with your hands and not with your head!!

Travis Wood fans Luke Carlin in the 2nd inning:



Enjoyed the game, weather, and festivities with my buddy Don (who joined us at the Royals game during BIL Tour 2009):


Opening Night at Slugger Field, the promotion was free magnetic schedules and (of course) end-of-the-game fireworks! Here, Indians OF Brian Myrow (who didn't play this evening) enjoys the fireworks with a couple of fellas who, I believe, must be his kids...



A 'W' would have been GREAT, but the best news of all, it really feels like Baseball Season now, I had a fantastic time!!




Official Program


Official Scorecard Cover and Gameday Stats