The Hillcats lost to the Potomac Nationals 6-1 tonight. Williams Perez matched career-highs in innings pitched (7) and strikeouts (8), and only allowed one run, but suffered the loss for the ‘Cats. The Nationals pulled away with five runs in the ninth inning, and the Hillcats one run answer was not nearly enough.
The lone run against Perez scored before the Nationals (19-13, 61-40) notched their first hit. Cutter Dykstra walked to lead off the second inning. He stole second base, collecting his ninth steal of the season. The next pitch bounced to the backstop sending Dykstra to third with nobody out. Kevin Keyes then grounded out to the second baseman bringing home Dykstra.
Neither team scored again until the ninth.
The Hillcats (11-20, 47-53)) recorded hits in each of the first four innings against Nationals starter Sammy Solis, but failed to plate a run. The biggest blunder came in the fourth when David Rohm walked to start the frame. Josh Elander followed with a line drive double to center field. Rohm was initially being waved home by manager Luis Salazar, but just before Rohm stepped on third the stop sign went up. Rohm didn’t notice and charged home. The relay throw from center field was on point, and Rohm was out. The next two batters struck out and the ‘Cats failed to score again.
Solis (1-0) completed five scoreless innings to earn his first win of the season, and the Nationals improved to 6-0 when he takes the mound. He struck out three, walked one, and gave up four hits.
It was 1-0 until the ninth inning, when Potomac sent 11 batters to the plate and scored five runs, all of which were credited to Hillcats reliever Zack Jadofsky. The Nationals racked up three hits, and walked twice around a strikeout before Jadofsky left the ball game with the bases loaded. Two runs had already scored, and all three inherited runners would come in as well after Robert Fish entered. One run went unearned due to an error by Kyle Kubitza at third base. The Nationals took a 6-0 lead.
Rohm singled home Matt Lipka in the bottom of the ninth, but that was all for the Hillcats offense tonight.
Perez (2-1) suffered his first loss despite another great outing. He now holds a 0.95 ERA through three starts for the Hillcats.
The Nationals lead the series 2-1 with the finale on tap for tomorrow. LHP Ryan Hinson (0-1, 1.38) willl take the mound for the Hillcats against RHP Blake Schwartz (7-4, 2.89) for the Potomac. First pitch is set for 6:05pm. Gates will open at 5pm, and there will be fireworks after the game presented by Mortgage Atlantic. The game will also be broadcast live on 97.9 FM The Planet and online at lynchburg-hillcats.com. Erik Wilson and Jake Levy will have the call beginning with the Hillcats On-Deck Show powered by Honda/Suzuki of Lynchburg at 6:40pm.
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Chris Graham
