The Lynchburg Hillcats were unable to capitalize with runners on base, going 2-11 with runners in scoring position, and stranding ten, in a 3-2 loss to the Red Sox at City Stadium, Sunday.
The Hillcats (29-38) close out the first half, failing to reach the 30-win mark for the first time since 2010, when they went 29-41 in the first half, and are forced to settle for a series split with Salem (32-36).
The Hillcats got on the board in the first inning. Mitch Longo led off with a double down the right field line, and Conner Capel singled him home two batters later to make it 1-0.
The Red Sox would tie the score in the fifth inning against Tanner Tully (loss, 2-8). With runners at second and third, Tyler Hill lined a single back up the middle to plate Roldani Baldwin, evening the game at 1-1.
Bobby Dalbec would put Salem ahead for good in the sixth. With Baldwin at first, the Red Sox third baseman launched his league-leading 14th home run of the season, to make it a 3-1 ballgame.
Tully gave up three runs on nine hits over six innings. He struck out six, and did not walk a batter. The loss was his fifth consecutive defeat.
Despite having nine runners on base in the fourth through seventh inning, the Hillcats were unable to take advantage, as Bryan Mata (win, 4-2) worked around trouble to pick up the victory. He tossed 5.2 innings giving up just one run on three hits, recording four walks and seven strikeouts.
The Hillcats trimmed the lead in the ninth as Logan Ice muscled an RBI single to center, to plate Anthony Miller who reached on a one-out double, to make it a 3-2 game.
However in the ninth, Jake Cosart (save, 2), retired the Hillcats in order, picking up a pair of strikeouts to seal the Red Sox win.
The Hillcats return to City Stadium on Thursday, following the All-Star break, to face the Pelicans in a four game series.
It will be Thirsty Thursday at City Stadium with game-long happy hour specials.
First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m., and Max Gun and Matt Present will be on the air with the Hillcats pregame show beginning at 6:20 p.m. on TuneIn Radio and Radio434.
For tickets and more information visit lynchburg-hillcats.com, the City Stadium box office, or call 434-528-1144.
Share
Contributors
