By The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS - Matt Childers struck out nine batters in six innings but Indianapolis could not contain the Bats as Louisville beat the Indians 3-2 Friday night at Victory Field.

Reliever Todd Erdos (2-7) gave up two runs and took the loss for Indianapolis (65-76).

John Novinsky, just called up from AA Huntsville, was walked off the field in the ninth inning after he was struck in the face by a line drive hit by Aaron Holbert.

Novinsky was examined by team doctors but Indians spokesman Mike Wolinski said his condition was not immediately available.

The game was scoreless until the sixth inning as Childers struck out nine Louisville batters, seven of them swinging. The Bats (65-76) scored first on an RBI single by Jim Chamblee, but Indianapolis replied in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI single by Trent Durrington.

Louisville scored twice again in the top of the seventh when Stephen Smitherman scored after being walked by Erdos and Corky Miller scored on an RBI single by Steve Lomasney.

Brian Rose (3-2) pitched six innings for the win, striking out three and walking two while giving up seven hits.