The Lynchburg Hillcats came from behind for the third straight game, beating the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, 4-3, on Friday night.
The Hillcats (49-53, 20-15) were held scoreless through the first six innings, before coming alive for two runs in both the seventh and eighth innings, to defeat the Pelicans (47-58, 13-22).
Down 3-2 going to the eighth, Lynchburg went ahead for good with a pair of runs. Conner Capel and Mitch Longo reached on back-to-back singles, and Gavin Collins laid down a sacrifice bunt to put runners at second and third. Trenton Brooks then followed with an RBI infield single, scoring Capel to tie the game at 3-3. A batter later, Jodd Carter laid down an RBI bunt single, on a safety squeeze, allowing Longo to score for a 4-3 lead.
James Karinchak (Save, 13) entered with two outs in the ninth, and allowed a triple to Johnny Pereda, who represented the tying run. The next batter, Jared Young, grounded out to second base to end the game.
The Pelicans broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth. Pereda walked to lead off the inning, and Young followed with a single. Two batters later, Andruw Monasterio ripped an RBI double to right field, scoring Pereda for a 1-0 Myrtle Beach lead.
The Birds added another run in the fifth. Aramis Ademan singled with one out, and Pereda walked to put two aboard, chasing starter Anderson Polanco from the game. Leandro Linares (Win, 3-0) took over, and allowed an RBI single to Young that plated Ademan for a 2-0 Pelicans lead.
Lynchburg evened the score with a pair of two-out runs in the seventh. Cory Abbott issued a one-out walk to Jodd Carter, and then struck out Anthony Miller to end his day. Jhon Romero (Loss, 1-2) was summoned out of the bullpen, and Jorma Rodriguez drilled his first pitch of the night to center field for an RBI triple. Alexis Pantoja then went after the first offering he saw and hammered an RBI double to knot the game at 2-2.
Abbott finished by going 6.2 innings, allowing one run on four hits, striking out ten. Romero surrendered three runs on seven hits in 2.1 innings.
Brooks finished with three hits, while Pantoja registered his first multi-hit game since June 16.
Polanco went a season-high 4.1 innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits. He walked four and struck out five. Linares allowed an unearned run on three hits in 2.2 innings. R.C. Orlan retired all five hitters he faced.
The series continues on Saturday with the second game of the three-game set with Myrtle Beach. Lynchburg will send left-hander Tanner Tully (3-9, 4.79) to the hill, while the Birds will counter with lefty Bryan Hudson (6-8, 4.71).
Max Gun and Matt Present will be on the air beginning at 5:55 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.
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Chris Graham
