Daniel Salters homers twice, but Lynchburg falls, 6-4

Lynchburg dropped the second-half opener against Potomac Friday at Calvin Falwell Field, 6-4. Daniel Salters hit two solo home runs to double his homer total for the season. Anderson Polanco threw six innings and only allowed two runs before he was pulled.

The Nationals crossed the plate in the first to take a 1-0 lead after Andrew Stevenson began the game with a double and scored on a throwing error while stealing third. The Hillcats tied the game up in the second after Salters lead the inning off with a home run. Mark Mathias, Claudio Bautista, and David Armendariz hit three singles in a row to eventually bring Mathias home.Greg Allen grounded out to bring in the third run and give the Hillcats a 3-1 lead.

Salters hit his second home run of the game over the right field wall after working a full count. Potomac responded with another run in the in the fifth inning after a leadoff triple from Alec Keller, which was followed by a single from Drew Vettleson. The Nationals scored four in the seventh frame to take a 6-4 lead, which they did not surrender. Potomac put together four hits, including a double and a triple in the inning.

Polanco had a solid outing for Lynchburg as he scattered six hits across six innings. The lefty struck out four batters and only allowed one walk. Luke Eubank came out of the bullpen, surrendered three runs and only recorded one out. Matt Whitehousestruck out three batters but surrendered a run and blew his first save of the season. Trevor Frank threw a scoreless ninth inning to lower his ERA to 1.89.

Lynchburg began the first half of the season with a 0-1 record as well but finished the half 45-25…The Hillcats are now 35-3 when leading after six innings…This marks only the second losing streak all year that has lasted at least three games.

Lynchburg will look to rebound against Potomac Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Luis Lugo (3-2, 4.41) will start for Lynchburg againstAusten Williams (0-2, 2.77). Fans can listen to the action on 93.3 FM and 1320 AM as well as www.lynchburg-hillcats.com, beginning with the Hillcats On-Deck Show at 6:15 p.m.