The Lynchburg Hillcats had the tying and go-ahead runs on the bases in the ninth inning, but fell to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, 4-3, on Sunday night.
The Hillcats (49-55, 20-17) settle for a 3-3 road trip after losing two of three games against Myrtle Beach (49-58, 15-22).
With the game tied at 2-2 entering the bottom of the seventh, Myrtle Beach was able to score a pair of runs to secure the lead for good. Kevonte Mitchell and D.J. Wilson hit back-to-back one-out singles, with Wilson taking second base on the throw. That set up Aramis Ademan, who hit a two-run single past a drawn in infield to give the Birds a 4-2 lead.
In the bottom of the ninth, Jose Paulino (Save, 3) retired the first two hitters he faced before the rally started. Dillon Persinger doubled, and Alexis Pantoja singled to put runners at first and third with two away. Jodd Carter then lined an RBI single to right field, scoring Persinger to pull Lynchburg within a run at 4-3. Trenton Brooks followed with a groundout to end the game.
Myrtle Beach grabbed an early lead in the first inning. Wilson and Ademan hit back-to-back singles and a double steal put them at second and third, respectively. The next hitter, Jhonny Pereda, lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Wilson for a 1-0 Birds lead.
The Hillcats quickly tied the game in the top of the second. Conner Capel was hit by a pitch to start the inning, and stole both second and third base. On his steal of third, Pereda’s throw sailed into left field, allowing Capel to trot home on the error to even the score.
The Pelicans went ahead again in the fifth. Wladimir Galindo singled and Wilson doubled to put runners at second and third. Later in the inning, Eli Morgan (Loss, 6-4) uncorked a wild pitch, scoring Galindo for a 2-1 lead.
Lynchburg knotted the game at 2-2 in the seventh as the back-and-fourth battle continued. Jorma Rodriguez reached on an error, Anthony Miller singled and Persinger walked to load the bases with nobody out. Pantoja then hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Rodriguez to put the game in a deadlock. The Hillcats had to settle for one, however, as Miller was picked off of second base and Carter struck out to end the inning.
Morgan allowed four earned runs on a career-high nine hits. Ben Krauth worked 1.2 scoreless frames out of the bullpen.
Left-hander Justin Steele started for Myrtle Beach, in his first outing in 11 months following Tommy John surgery. He fired five innings and allowed one unearned run on two hits. Tyler Peyton (Win, 3-2) surrendered an unearned run in 2.2 innings.
After an off day on Monday, the Hillcats are back home on Tuesday to take on the Salem Red Sox in a three-game series. Right-hander Zach Plesac (7-4, 4.26) will start for the Hillcats, against Red Sox righty Kevin McAvoy (0-1, 4.32). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at City Stadium.
Max Gun and Matt Present will be on the air beginning at 6:20 p.m. on TuneIn Radio and Radio434.
It will be 2-Fur Tuesday at the ballpark, featuring buy-one get-one tickets and $2 concession deals.
For tickets and more information visit lynchburg-hillcats.com, the City Stadium box office, or call 434-528-1144.
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