Tagged: Tony Renda

Bats double-header Game 1

Louisville Bats vs. Columbus Clippers (International League)

Louisville Slugger Field-Louisville, KY:  Well, we finally made it back to Slugger Field for some Bats baseball.  Usually with us the rain is a pain, but last weekend it actually helped, as Saturday nights game was rained out, so we were able to enjoy a double-header on Sunday.  The first game moved by quickly, but we enjoyed it and cheered on our team.

As is with most minor league double-headers, they are a seven inning games, and this one was a pitchers duel.  For the Bats, starter Jackson Stephens pitched all seven innings for a complete game shut out.  He gave up seven hits, but gave up no walks in his outing.   And while we were watching all of the non-offense, Brian was enjoying his free kids meal of a hot dog, nachos, and root beer.

The Zooperstars were also on hand to entertain us.   We saw CentiPete Rose, Tommy LaSwordfish, and Tim TeBull during this game.

We finally saw some excitement in the final inning.  The Bats had back-to-back singles from Sebastian Elizalde and Tony Renda to open the inning.  Then Brandon Dixon came to the plate and hit a walk-off single for a 1-0 Louisville victory!  Final (7): Bats 1, Clippers 0.

Between games Brian and I went out to the West Wing to get out of the sun for a while.  As Sunday is Kids Club day, they had plenty of activities for them.  Brian was lucky enough to interact with some of our veterans, and made a poppy flower that will go on a Memorial Day parade float honoring our fallen heroes!

Photos property of Minoring In Baseball

Last game on Labor Day

Louisville Bats vs. Indianapolis Indians (International League)

28865844123_b09e7e9a39_zLouisville Slugger Field-Louisville, KY:  Where did the summer go?  It’s definitely a sad sort of day, the last day of the Minor League regular season, which means the end of 2016 baseball for the Bats.  We were blessed with a beautiful day, however, so Trevor and I decided to take a walk down by the river before the game started.  To our surprise, WLKY was doing a live broadcast down that way covering some Labor Day events, and we ‘just happened’ to walk behind the reporter and got on the news!  Here’s the footage courtesy of Channel 32 WLKY’s YouTube (look for us at the 1:21 and 1:22 mark):

When Trevor and I were done being TV stars, we made our way into the ballpark for the last time in 2016.  We had great seats, as we settled in with our $1 hot dogs and drinks on another 90 degree day.

29525179765_db39d960d6_z29490608326_063f5fb01c_zOn the mound was Keury Mella who was making his Triple-A debut with the Bats.  He pitched a solid seven innings, only giving up three hits, one earned run, while giving up one walk, and striking out six to earn the win.  Relief pitcher Kevin Shackelford came in to get the save.

28865894773_5735d49bbd_z28865918013_927baaa987_zLouisville was lead offensively by Seth Mejias-Brean, who got the Bats on the board in the 4th with an RBI base hit.  He also added and RBI on the eighth inning with a triple.  The go-ahead run came in the seventh, off of a Tony Renda base hit. FINAL:  Bats 4, Indians 1.

28866114753_e167c7413c_z28899910304_09c3deec0e_zAgain, it’s sad that this was our last Bats game of the season, but we will still have some baseball in our future.  Brian is still playing Fall Ball, and the Louisville Cardinals will probably play some exhibition games in the coming month or so, also.  We might even make it back up to the Reds, but that’s still up in the air.  This was a fun day with my son, and feel blessed and lucky for it!

28866144303_268cded650_z28863813864_67745a4a6f_zPhotos property of Minoring In Baseball