Luis Lugo earned his second win on the season as the Lynchburg Hillcats defeated the Carolina Mudcats 10-3 on Mother’s Day. The offense delivered 10 runs on eight hits on the afternoon. Dorssys Paulino came through for the ‘Cats with three hits including a home run and a double. Lynchburg’s record improved to a Carolina League best 21-8.
The ‘Cats offense exploded for a double digit outing as nine of the 10 position players who played reached base. Lynchburg didn’t wait around to score as they put up three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Mike Papi led the game off with a single and eventually came around to score on a fielder’s choice. The big hit of the inning came off of the bat of Dorssys Paulino, who delivered a two-RBI double bringing in Anthony Santander and Taylor Murphy.
Paulino hit a solo home run to right field for his first home run on the season in the fourth frame to give the Hillcats a 4-1 advantage. The ‘Cats brought in three more runs in the fifth thanks to their patient eyes. Lynchburg’s only hit of the inning came on a two-run double from Bobby Bradley after Yu-Cheng Chang and Anthony Santander reached on a hit by pitch and walk, respectively.
Lynchburg tacked on three more runs in the eighth inning on three hits and one error. Dorssys Paulino led off the inning with a single, which was followed by a walk issued to Paul Hendrix, who has reached base six times in his seven plate appearances on the year. Later in the inning, Greg Allen, who just entered into the game, doubled to bring in Claudio Bautista.
Luis Lugo went six innings while striking out four batters and only allowing five hits to earn the win. Lugo pitched out of a few jams and minimized the damage from the Mudcats offense. Lugo was around the strike zone all afternoon as he tossed 88 pitches, 59 of which were strikes. The left-hander lowered his ERA to 4.31.
Justin Garcia and Cameron Hill finished the game for the ‘Cats. Garcia pitched two perfect innings while striking out one batter during his outing. Hill pitched the final frame, giving up two earned runs and striking out one batter. The pitching staff combined for six strikeouts and only one walk during the contest.
Lynchburg will play Potomac again to makeup Tuesday’s rainout next Monday, May 9, at 6 p.m…Lynchburg has a league-high 26 home runs this season…Dorssys Paulino’s fourth inning home run was his first home run since August 11 at Frederick when he hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning as well… With his next run batted in he will surpass 200 career RBIs.
Lynchburg will play a makeup game from May 3 against the Potomac Nationals Monday night at 6 p.m. Julian Merryweather (4-1, 0.60) will start for Lynchburg before the ‘Cats hit the road and go to Salem. Fans can listen to the action on 93.3 FM and 1320 AM as well as www.lynchburg-hillcats.com, beginning with the Hillcats On-Deck Show.
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