Bourgeois ends Bats' season on winning note
Labor Day was a great day of work for Jason Bourgeois.
The Louisville Bats outfielder drove in the game-ending run with a bases-loaded single in the ninth to beat Indianapolis 4-3 in the season finale. Bourgeois is also among several Bats who were promoted to the parent Cincinnati Reds.
His Triple-A season is over. His major-league return is today when Cincinnati visits Baltimore. Major-league rosters expand in September and teams normally promote some minor leaguers — mostly prospects. Bourgeois is a 32-year-old journeyman who played in the Tampa organization last year.
"I was pleasantly surprised," Bourgeois said of being promoted. "I wasn't expecting it at all. You always hope but you never take it for granted. I'm just fortunate and thank God for the opportunity."
Bourgeois, who led the team in hits with 153, was also presented the Mary E. Barney Most Valuable Player award before the game. His last hit of the 2014 season was memorable. Neither Louisville (68-75) and Indianapolis (73-71) is playoff-bound but played an interesting game. Both rallied for ninth-inning leads.
After blowing a 2-1 lead, Louisville took advantage of three Indianapolis walks and an error to win. Donald Lutz drew a bases-loaded walk off Andy Oliver (3-4) to plate Steve Selsky and tie the score at 3. The Indians replaced Oliver with right-hander Josh Kinney, who got a lineout for the first out of the inning.
Bourgeois then singled to right to score Rey Navarro and wrap up his special day.
"It's been a great year," Bourgeois said. "It's been a grind. I was able to stay healthy. When that happens, you have a chance to do something. To top it all off with a September call-up is a dream."
Louisville manager Jim Riggleman gave Bourgeois the good news.
"Jason is the epitome of what we look for in a ballplayer," he said. "His preparation is tremendous, and his attitude is tremendous."
Also promoted from Louisville are right-hander Carlos Contreras, right-hander Daniel Corcino, left-hander David Holmberg, left-hander Ryan Dennick, left-hander J.J. Hoover, catcher Tucker Barnhart, infielder Jake Elmore and infielder Donald Lutz.
The Bats were two outs away from a 2-1 victory but Indianapolis pinch-hitter Robert Andino singled in a pair of runs in the ninth.
The Louisville victory snapped a season-worst seven-game home losing streak. The Slugger Field record for most home losses is nine in a row set in the stadium's inaugural 2000 season.
Louisville finished last in the International League West Division for the second time in three seasons. It was the Bats' third straight losing season. Riggleman said that he would like to return, but Reds management will ultimately make that call.
"I really enjoy it here," he said.
Contact Michael Grant at (502) 582-4069, and on Twitter @MichaelGrant_CJ.