The Lynchburg Hillcats used a 20-hit attack and a strong pitching performance to shut out the Salem Red Sox 15-0 on Saturday night at City Stadium.
The Hillcats got started early with three runs in the bottom of the first thanks to base hits from their first four batters. Bradley Zimmer and Nellie Rodriguez each drove in runs as Lynchburg spotted themselves a 3-0 advantage.
After a perfect second inning from Kevin McAvoy, Lynchburg added a tally in the third on an RBI single from Rodriguez before blowing things open in the fifth. McAvoy was chased after issuing a two-out walk and Lynchburg uncorked a three-run rally with two outs against German Taveras. Mike Papi and Sicnarf Loopstok each had RBI doubles and Claudio Bautista laced an RBI single, giving the Hillcats a 7-0 lead.
McAvoy (4-7) took the loss by allowing six hits and five runs, four earned, while walking four and fanning five through 4.2 innings pitched.
Salem’s deficit grew thanks to four more Hillcat runs in the sixth. Rodriguez highlighted a six-hit inning with a two-run double and Papi clubbed a second RBI double in as many innings. When the dust settled, Lynchburg led 11-0.
Meanwhile, D.J. Brown (6-3) was cruising. The Lynchburg starter spun a gem with seven shutout innings and only four hits against to go with three strikeouts while picking up the win.
The Hillcats added to the lead with two in the seventh and two in the eight to push their total to 15. Clint Frazier was 4-for-6 with four runs scored, Luigi Rodriguez went 3-for-6 with three runs and an RBI, Papi drove in three and scored twice in a 2-for-3 evening and Nellie Rodriguez finished 4-for-6 with five RBI. The 15 runs and 20 hits marked season-highs for a Red Sox opponent
The Red Sox lost for the seventh time in their last eight games and fell to 3-7 in the second half and 41-39 overall. The Hillcats moved above .500 in the second half at 5-4 and sit a 38-41 overall. The three-game set continues Sunday at 2:00 p.m, Aaron Wilkerson (4-1, 2.86) will oppose Luis Lugo (5-6, 4.95). Fans can listen to the game on 1240 AM ESPN Roanoke, online at salemsox.com or via the TuneIn Radio app.
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