The Hillcats spoiled Jordan Guerrero’s Advanced-A debut by overcoming a seven-run deficit with nine unanswered runs to complete a four-game series sweep over the Winston-Salem Dash. It marked the first four-game sweep at home for the Hillcats since May 27-30, 2013 against Myrtle Beach and the first four-game sweep against Winston-Salem since August 14-17, 2003.
In the fifth inning, Paul Hendrix sent his fourth homer of the year over the left field wall to give the Hillcats their second run of the game afterMike Papi started the comeback effort with an RBI single in the fourth.
In the very next inning, Alex Monsalve joined the bomb squad with his first of the season, a two-run shot over the left field wall that cut the Winston-Salem lead to just three, 7-4. It represented Monsalve’s first home run since July 19, 2014.
Winston-Salem’s starting pitcher, Jordan Guerrero, made a statement in his Advanced-A debut. After striking out the first five Hillcats batters, Guerrero cruised through the first three innings before surrendering a run on an RBI single to Mike Papi in the fourth. The Hillcats scored three more runs on a pair of homers by Hendrix and Monsalve to force Guerrero out of the game in the top of the sixth inning. WhenGuerrero left the game, the Dash still held a three-run lead, 7-4, but the Hillcats rally gave Guerrero a no-decision after a solid debut.
Finding themselves down 7-0 through three and a half innings, the Hillcats ripped off nine unanswered runs to complete their largest comeback of the season. With the help of two home runs from Hendrix and Monsalve, and three more extra-base hits from Luigi Rodriguez, Nellie Rodriguez, and Joe Sever, the Hillcats were able to dominate Winston-Salem’s bullpen.
After Monsalve homered earlier in the sixth, Luigi Rodriguez roped his fourth triple of the year to right field to drive in Papi and Sever and bring the Hillcats within one, 7-6.
In the seventh, Sever completed the comeback with a two-run double that drove in Eric Haase and Papi. James Roberts followed one batter later with an RBI single to score Sever. Every Hillcat had a hit in the game, and each player also contributed to the scoring with either an RBI or a run scored.
Robbie Aviles (5-1) earned his second victory of the series by retiring all six batters he faced in relief, while Casey Weathers improved to 4-for-4 in save opportunities with two scoreless innings…Alex Monsalve has nine RBIs in seven games since returning from the Disabled List on May 27…Mike Papi went 3-for-3 for the second time in the series to raise his batting average to .200 for the first time this year…Bradley Zimmer went 3-for-5 to reclaim the league lead in batting average at .320, and he also scored once to increase his league-best total to 48 runs in 54 games…Zimmer added his 23rd stolen base, which ranks second in the Carolina League…Before today, Lynchburg’s largest comeback this year was when the Hillcats overcame a six-run margin at Wilmington on May 11…Lynchburg improved to 3-24 when trailing after six innings and 12-7 against lefties this season…
Lynchburg looks for its first five-game winning streak of the season when Salem visits town Monday at 6:30 p.m. Luis Lugo (3-3, 4.58) will be opposed by Trey Buttrey (4-0, 2.40). 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 6:10 p.m. for the Hillcats On-Deck Show.
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Chris Graham
