"Hey fans, it's time to 'Stir Up the Storm!'" is exactly what Louisville Bats' starting pitcher John Lamb did not hear last night for the first time in a home start since 2013. After Wednesday's performance, though, maybe the Bats' public address announcer should say the catchphrase during Lamb's starts anyhow because the organizational debut of the newly-acquired left handed pitcher was sub-par in contrast to his past performances with the Omaha Storm Chasers (Triple-A).

Lamb, who was one of Minor League Baseball's best southpaws prior to undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2011, was finally able to tame the big bats of the Pacific Coast League (Triple-A) this season after 29 starts over the last two years in the hitter-friendly circuit as he posted an outstanding 9-1 record with a 2.67 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 94 1/3 innings. In fact, the 25-year old has been so good that he was selected to the Pacific Coast League All-Star team for the Triple-A All-Star Game at his home park, or what was his home park, of Werner Park earlier this month. Nonetheless, Lamb found himself as a visitor despite being at "home" for his International League debut. 

His opponent was Micah Johnson's Charlotte Knights, and from the get-go they were in the drivers' seat considering the former Kansas City Royals' farmhand walked Johnson to begin the game. Next, Knights' slugger Jason Coats singled before Matt Tuiasosopo ripped an RBI-double to left field, driving home the lead-off second baseman for the first run of the game.

Did Lamb surrender an earned run before recording an out? That is correct. 

Later, matters became even worse as Matt Davidson had a sacrifice fly and Chris Marrero smacked an RBI triple to extend the advantage to 3-0. 

In the following inning, Lamb's struggles continued considering he gave free passes to back-to-back Knights, ultimately loading the bases for the dangerous Davidson. Luckily for Triple-A All-Star, Lamb was able to slide out of trouble unscathed by striking out the 2013 All-Star Futures Game MVP to end the inning.

Thanks to the Davidson whiff, the 2008 MLB Draft fifth-rounder seemed to become more comfortable on the Louisville Slugger Field mound by fanning the next five batters. Even though former Chicago Cubs prospect Tyler Colvin and Trayce Thompson supplied two-out hits in the fourth and fifth innings, Lamb escaped the mini-jams without a sweat.

After the exit of Louisville's starter (5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 8 SO), Sam LeCure from the Bats' bullpen immediately faltered and allowed two runs to re-extend the Charlotte lead to three.

During the top of the ninth, Coats sealed the deal for Charlotte (making Lamb a losing pitcher for the first time since May 16) with a solo blast (12) off of Bats reliever Carlos Contreas. 

On Thursday evening, Brandon Finnegan, another piece of the package moved from Kansas City to Cincinnati for Johnny Cueto, will make his organizational debut in an attempt to salvage a series split for the Louisville Bats.