Lynchburg drops rubber match with Frederick

Lynchburg scored early on a solo homer, but it was the only run the Hillcats could muster in a 2-1 loss to the Frederick Keys on Thursday night at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium. The loss snapped the Hillcats’ streak of six consecutive series victories.

GOING YARD

In the top of the second inning, Sicnarf Loopstok lined a solo home run over the right field wall to give the Hillcats a 1-0 lead. The home run was Loopstok’s third as a Hillcat.

AUDIO: Loopstok solo home run

AQUINO PART TWO

Jayson Aquino (0-1) made his second start as a Hillcat and his first on the road against the Keys. Aquino held Frederick scoreless through the first three innings, but the Keys broke through in the bottom of the fourth. Aquino surrendered three straight singles to start the frame, including a RBI base hit to Wynston Sawyer that tied the game at one. Yaisel Mederoswalked to load the bases and Adrian Marin grounded into a fielder’s choice that scored Chance Sisco to give the Keys a 2-1 lead.

Lynchburg didn’t allow another run to score, but Aquino earned his first loss as a Hillcat after pitching 5 2/3 innings and allowing two runs on six hits while walking two and striking out four.

KEEPING UP WITH THE CATS

Bobby Ison singled to right field in his first at-bat for the Hillcats…Ison was called up from Low-A Lake County on Thursday and finished the night 1-for-3 at the plate with a strikeout…The Hillcats recorded three extra-base hits in the contest with a home run and a double by Loopstok and another double from Castillo…The Hillcats have recorded 49 extra-base hits in just 10 games in the month of August with 33 doubles, five triples, and 11 home runs…The loss in the rubber match to the Frederick Keys snaps a streak of six consecutive series won by the Hillcats…With the loss, Lynchburg falls to 6-4 in rubber matches and 20-14 in series finales this season.

UP NEXT

Lynchburg heads to Myrtle Beach for a three-game series against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans beginning on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Fans can tune in to the action on ESPN Virginia 93.3 FM and 1320 AM as well as www.lynchburg-hillcats.com beginning at 6:40 p.m. for the Hillcats On-Deck Show.