Lynchburg scored the first run of the game, but Myrtle Beach plated the final four and claimed a 4-1 victory over the Hillcats to close out the first half of the season Sunday evening at TicketReturn.com Field.
LUIGI LEADS
Luigi Rodriguez laced a triple into the gap to begin the game Sunday, his second in as many days and his sixth of the year to tie teammate Ivan Castillofor the league lead. Rodriguez also enters the All-Star Break as the league leader in home runs with 10 and second in the league with a .512 slugging percentage. Two batters later, LeVon Washington brought home Rodriguez for his first RBI as a Hillcat with a fielder’s choice to first base.
PELICANS ANSWER
Myrtle Beach scored twice on a pair of hits in the bottom of the first. Chesny Young walked, Pin-Chieh Chen singled, and Jeimer Candelario singled as well to drive in Young and tie the game. Later in the frame, Victor Caratini hit a sacrifice fly to center field, and the Pelicans led the rest of the way.
In the third inning, Myrtle Beach loaded the bases, and Carlos Penalver grounded a single into left to push the margin to 3-1. Jacob Rogers capped off the Pelicans scoring in the seventh with a solo home run to right field. Rogers is tied with Nellie Rodriguez and Bradley Zimmer for second in the league with nine home runs, four of which have come against the Hillcats.
Daury Torrez (5-5) earned the victory by holding the Hillcats to one run on four hits in six innings, while Jasvir Rakkar notched his ninth save to tie for the league lead. Dace Kime (2-3) surrendered three runs on eight hits while striking out three in five innings and took the loss.
KEEPING UP WITH THE ‘CATS
Bradley Zimmer, Nellie Rodriguez, and Luigi Rodriguez will participate in the Carolina League-California League All-Star Game Tuesday night in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif…Lynchburg went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position in the game and 14-for-76 (.184) in the past seven games…Lynchburg finished the first half as the league leader in runs scored (319), doubles (134), triples (23), home runs (49), and slugging percentage (.395).
UP NEXT
Lynchburg opens the second half at home Thursday night against Winston-Salem at 6:30 p.m. It’s “Major League” Night and all fans wearing Cleveland Indians apparel will receive $5 admission. Fans can tune in to the action on ESPN Virginia 93.3 FM and 1320 AM as well as www.lynchburg-hillcats.combeginning at 6:10 p.m. for the Hillcats On-Deck Show.
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Chris Graham
