Photo by Jared Anderson, River City Cards
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rogers returns to louisville, blanks bats

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Nick Senzel returned from the disabled list, and the Louisville Bats opened a new series Tuesday. The Bats lost to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, 4-0. The Cincinnati Reds top prospect went 0 for 4, with one strikeout in his first game since May 3rd. He did have a couple hard-hit balls

Also back in Louisville was former Louisville Cardinal Josh Rogers. The 23 year-old left-hander started 25 games for the Cards from 2014-15, and went 11-4 with a 3.46 ERA in his career. He entered Louisville Slugger Field 4-3 with a 2.80 ERA in 54.2 innings pitched for the Yankees affiliate.

Rogers blanked the Bats in his homecoming start. He went seven innings of five-hit ball, allowing no runs, and just two walks. Rogers struck out three over his start. He lowered his ERA to 2.48. Rogers also won his fifth game.

Behind him, the RailRiders seemed to have Louisville’s number.

In the second inning, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre tallied a pair of long balls. Billy McKinney hit the first one, and his first of the season, to right. Then, two batters later, Ryan McBroom hit his fifth home run of 2018, also to right.

Aside from the first two home runs, Cody Reed had a good outing. They were the only runs allowed through his first six innings.

Then, the seventh happened... First, New York Yankee Clint Frazier hit his fifth home run of the year, a solo shot to left-center. Then, Mike Ford hit his seventh to right. Bats manager Dick Schofield pulled him before the end of the inning.

Reed finished with 6.2 innings pitched, and gave up four runs, all earned, on 10 hits and one walk. He struck out five. He received the loss.

The 16-32 Bats will continue their series against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre tomorrow. The game will be at 6:30 pm. Right-hander Anthony DeSclafani (0-1; 10.80 ERA) will take on RHP David Hale (0-2; 5.70).

Videos: Nick Senzel speaks about his return to the lineup, after being on the disabled list since May 3rd.
Bats manager Dick Schofield speaks about Senzel's return and Louisville's loss
Former UofL pitcher Josh Rogers discusses what it was like to return home, and pitch in front of friends and family.