The Lynchburg Hillcats blew out the Myrtle Beach Pelicans 10-0 taking their third straight win in the current series. The ‘Cats extended their now season-best winning streak to five games. Greg Ross faced just three batters over the minimum through six scoreless innings as the offense lit up the scoreboard with 15 hits. Eight Hillcats recorded hits and seven had multiple hits as Lynchburg clinched a series win in Myrtle Beach.
The Pelicans (33-24, 73-53) received a solid start from left-handed pitcher Luis Parra. He allowed single runs in the second and third innings but that was it in five innings of work. He gave up five hits, walked one, and struck out two, leaving the game with his team trailing 2-0 going into the sixth frame. David Rohm tripled to lead off the second inning and scored on a groundout to third base off the bat of Trent Moses. In the third inning Matt Lipka singled and stole second base for his 31st steal of the season. Josh Elander drove in Lipka two batters later.
Things quickly turned one-sided in the sixth inning when Randol Rojas entered in relief for the Pelicans. The Hillcats (26-28, 62-61) sent all nine batters to the plate. The first five batters to face Rojas recorded hits and came around to score. Emerson Landoni drove in one with a single and Matt Weaver doubled home two more. After a pair of groundouts Josh Elander capped off the rally with a two-run single.
Rojas remained in the ball game to pitch the seventh as well, but things didn’t get any better for him. Rohm started the frame with a single in front of back-to-back RBI-doubles for Moses and Reyes. Josh McElwee relieved Rojas after the Reyes double. He allowed the inherited runner to score but that was all. It was 10-0 Hillcats going into the seventh inning stretch.
Lynchburg’s pitching was outstanding from the start. Ross (8-6) allowed just four hits, walked none, and struck out five on his way to his eighth win. Chasen Shreve completed the seventh and eight scoreless and Brandon Cunniff finished the shutout with a blank ninth.
Matt Weaver led the Hillcats offense with three RBI on the night in a game that saw six ‘Cats drive in a run. The win matched the Hillcats largest margin of victory this season duplicating a 10-0 win against the Carolina Mudcats in Zebulon, NC on July 1.
The Hillcats will go for a four-game sweep of the Pelicans at 7:05pm. RHP Jarett Miller (8-7, 3.61) will start for the Hillcats against RHP Kevin Pucetas (1-1, 5.74) for the Pelicans. The Hillcats On-Deck Show powered by Honda/Suzuki of Lynchburg will go on the air at 6:40pm. Tune in to the live radio broadcast with Erik Wilson and Jake Levy on 97.9 FM The Planet and online at lynchburg-hillcats.com
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Chris Graham
