Despite out-hitting Wilmington, 11-10, the Lynchburg Hillcats lost, 9-2, to the Blue Rocks on Tuesday night. Lynchburg (26-26) drops to 1-3 this season against Wilmington (24-33).
Tied 2-2 going into the bottom of the second, the Blue Rocks scored seven runs in the home half of the frame to run away with the win and chase Lynchburg starter Justin Garza (Loss, 2-3) from the game. Wilmington sent 12 hitters to the plate in the inning and recorded five hits, while walking four times.
Wilmington’s big inning started when Nick Heath ripped an RBI double. Two batters later, Khalil Lee worked a bases-loaded walk, and with the bases reloaded, Kort Peterson lined a two-run single to center field. Meibrys Viloria grooved an RBI single, Chris DeVito hit a sacrifice fly and another run scored on a wild pitch to cap the seven-run inning.
The seven runs scored by the Blue Rocks are the most runs an opponent has scored in a single inning against the Hillcats this season.
Lynchburg jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first. Jodd Carter tripled and Conner Capel followed with an RBI double.
Wilmington took their first lead, 2-1, when Lee blasted a two-run home run, his third of the season, in the bottom of the first.
The Hillcats quickly tied the game at 2-2 when Luke Wakamatsu singled, and Dillon Persinger hit an RBI triple.
Garza allowed a season-high eight runs on six hits in 1.1 innings, walking three. Micah Miniard allowed a run in two innings and Anderson Polanco and Billy Strode combined for 4.2 scoreless innings in relief. Polanco struck out a season-high six while Strode fanned a season-best five.
Arnoldo Hernandez (Win, 6-3) allowed two runs on seven hits in five innings, striking out six. Carter Hope (Save, 2) pitched the final four innings and did not allow a run.
Eight of Wilmington’s nine starters reached base on Tuesday.
The series continues on Wednesday when the Hillcats will take on the Blue Rocks in a double-header, to make up for the game on April 15 that was postponed due to rain. Sam Hentges (3-4, 3.83) will start Game One for Lynchburg, opposite of Wilmington left-hander Daniel Tillo (1-1, 2.87). In Game Two, righty Felix Tati (2-1, 3.27) will get the call for the Hillcats against Blue Rocks right-hander Jace Vines (2-7, 5.25). First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. at Frawley Stadium. Game Two will begin approximately 30 minutes after the completion of the first contest and both games will be seven innings in length.
Max Gun will be on the air at 4:55 p.m. with the Hillcats pre-game show on TuneIn Radio and the Radio434 App.
For tickets and more information visit Lynchburg-hillcats.com, the City Stadium Box Office, or call 434-528-1144.
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Chris Graham
