The Hillcats won their third in a row against the Keys, continuing their perfect stretch this season in Frederick with a 6-1 victory. Cody Martin matched a career-high in strikeouts in a one-hit winning effort for the ‘Cats. Lynchburg is now a perfect 6-0 when playing the Keys at Harry Grove Stadium this year.
The scoring started in the second inning. Edward Salcedo and Chris Garcia delivered back-to-back doubles for the Hillcats. Garcia drove in Salcedo for his 33rd RBI of the season. Aaron Baker tied the ball game with solo shot in the bottom the inning. It was his 11th home run of the season, which ties him for the third-most in the Carolina League this season.
The Hillcats regained their lead in the top of the third. Tommy La Stella knocked in his team-leading 40 run of the season with a two-out RBI-double. Ahmed scored his team-leading 48th run on the play. The ‘Cats led 2-1.
Martin dominated with the exception of the home run to Baker. He sat down 14 of his last 16 batters. He did not allow another hit, as those two runners were the result of Martin’s two walks on the night. He left the game after his second walk came in the sixth inning with two outs. RHP Ryne Harper entered and walked his first batter before inducing a fly out to end the frame.
Prior to Martin’s exit. The Hillcats had extended their lead to 6-1 with a four-run top of the sixth. They sent eight batters to the plate. Adam Milligan contributed a two-run homer, and Emerson Landoni added a two-run triple.
The Lynchburg bullpen picked up where Martin left off completing the last three and one-third innings scoreless.
Martin (6-5) earned the win allowing just one run on one hit over five and two-thirds innings. He struck out eight, which matched his career-high. Keys’ starter Tyler Wilson (2-3) took the loss after allowing six runs on six hits through five and two-thirds innings.
The Hillcats have now won three in a row and eight of their last nine. They are 38-31 with just one game left to play in the first half.
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