Walks came in bunches for the Butler BlueSox Friday night. Hits, however, did not.

The BlueSox drew 10 free passes, but tallied just five singles to go with them, in a 6-4 Prospect League baseball loss to Richmond (Ind.) at Pullman Park.

Through the first eight innings, Butler had managed just three hits and one run — Chris Rasky came home following a wild pitch from Richmond reliever Chris Miller in the bottom of the eighth.

Butler did manage a rally in the ninth.

Trailing 6-1 and facing RiverRats' right-hander Todd Eaton, the BlueSox managed to get their first three batters of the inning on base. Ryan Richardson reached on a throwing error and Elliott Caldwell and Rasky both walked.

After Richardson scored on a fielder's choice from Kyle Petty, Jason Radwan and Matt Albaugh hit back-to-back RBI-singles to cut Richmond's lead to 6-4. But Eaton rebounded by striking out Eric Hess and Neal Jacobs, both coming to the plate as the potential winning run.

“We didn't stop competing, the guys battled,” said Butler manager Anthony Rebyanski. “Once we got into their bullpen, we were able to get things going, but it was an inning too late.”

Butler's offense spent the first seven innings trying to solve Richmond starter Dylan Lynn, with no success. Lynn struck out 11, walked four and stranded the seven baserunners he allowed.

“He was down in the zone and was throwing all of his pitches for strikes,” said Richmond manager Tyler Lairson. “When that happens, he can be dominant.”

Butler starter Jared Locke proved to be a formidable test for the RiverRats (4-6). He began the game with four scoreless innings and was pulled after six innings having allowed two runs on six hits.

“He pitched well,” said Rebyanski. “He got in some trouble, but was able to get out with just two runs. You hate to say it, but with as good as (Lynn) was pitching, you're thinking your guy can't give up any runs.”

Justin Pearson and Derek Trovillion both had an RBI-base hit in the fifth to stake the RiverRats to a 2-0 lead.

In the seventh, it was Nolan Earley and Trovillion who drove in a run with a double and single, respectively.

Butler's reprieve came when Lynn was pulled after throwing 107 pitches. The RiverRats turned to Miller in the eighth, who walked four in his one inning, but allowed just the one run.

Richmond added two more runs in the top of the ninth, Cody Campbell and Michael Meredith both driving in a run with a single.

It was an odd night at the plate for Butler. The team's 10 walks were opposed by 13 strikeouts.

“(Lynn) had good velocity, but he got a lot of our guys to chase his slider out of the zone,” said Rebyanski. “We have to start picking up the spin on the ball.”

“We have to get better,” said Lairson of his pitching staff's free passes. “We just have some guys with mechanical problems right now. That's correctable.”

Notes: John Rossi (2.1 innings), Tim Haley (.1) and Ryan Wilkinson (.1) pitched in relief for Butler (5-5).

Richmond 000 020 202 — 6 11 2

Butler 000 000 013 — 4 5 0

W: Dylan Lynn 7IP (11K, 4BB). L: Jared Locke 6IP (8K, 4BB).

Richmond (4-6): Jake Welch 1B 2B R, Justin Pearson 1B 2B 3R RBI, Nolan Earley 2B 2R RBI, Cody Campbell 1B RBI, Derek Trovillion 2-1B 2RBI, Michael Meredith 1B RBI, Tyler Mikrut 2-1B

Butler (5-5): Elliott Caldwell 1B R, Chris Rasky 1B R, Kyle Petty RBI, Jason Radwan 1B RBI, Matt Albaugh 1B RBI, Eric Hess 1B, Ryan Richardson R, Chris Marangon R

Saturday: Butler at West Virginia