The Lynchburg Hillcats scored three runs in the second inning, and were able to add on to their lead late to take the series-opener from the Down East Wood Ducks, 6-3 on Friday.
Lynchburg (56-58, 27-20) took advantage of four Wood Ducks (50-68, 15-33) errors, scoring three unearned runs on the night.
Down East took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a solo home run from LeDarious Clark, his eighth of the season, off of starter Tanner Tully (Win, 4-10).
Tully picked up his first win since July 1 in Frederick, tossing six innings, giving up two runs on five hits, he walked two and struck out one.
He also surrendered a run on three consecutive hits in the fifth inning, capped off by a Chuck LeBlanc two-out double.
The Hillcats tied the score in the home half of the first. Ernie Clement, making his first start since July 26 off the disabled list, doubled to deep left field to lead off the inning. Mitch Longo followed with an RBI single to left-center to knot the score at 1-1.
The Hillcats then went ahead in the second inning. Nolan Jones singled, Gavin Collins reached on an error, and then Emmanuel Tapia singled to load the bases. Austen Wade followed with a walk to plate a run, and then Jorma Rodriguez brought home a second run on a sac fly one batter later. Clement extended the Hillcats lead to 4-1 with an RBI single to plate Tapia.
Collins also scored a run in the fourth inning when he led off with a single, stole second, advanced to third on a flyout, and scored on a passed ball to push the lead to 5-2.
Rollie Lacy (Loss, 0-2) gave up five runs (three earned), on six hits over five innings in the loss.
Alex Kowalczyk got the Wood Ducks a run back in the seventh inning on a lead-off home run to trim the Hillcats to 5-3.
Lynchburg responded for a run in the home eighth. Jones reached on a one-out error, and Collins followed with a RBI double down the right field line.
Dalbert Siri (Save, 10) closed it out in ninth working a three-up-three-down inning, picking up a pair of strikeouts.
The series continues with the middle game of the three-game set gets underway on Saturday. Right-hander Eli Morgan (6-5, 3.93) takes the ball for the Hillcats, opposed by righty Steve Bruce (5-6, 3.09) for the Wood Ducks. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at City Stadium.
It’s Sparkling Saturday at City Stadium, with post-game fireworks sponsored by Food Lion.
Max Gun and Matt Present will be on the air at 5:50 p.m. on TuneIn Radio and Radio434.
For tickets and more information visit lynchburg-hillcats.com, the City Stadium box office, or call 434-528-1144.
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Chris Graham
