Hillcats drop rain-shortened contest to Myrtle Beach

More rain wreaked havoc in Lynchburg as the Hillcats saw their second game washed away in as many nights. Unlike Thursday night however, the ‘Cats were able to play seven innings and make it an official game, but fell 7-3 to Myrtle Beach.

After a 15-minute delay to the start of the game with early showers in the area, Myrtle Beach got on the board in the first. Mark Zagunis led off with a walk and was driven in on an RBI double from Jeimer Candelario. Candelario then scored on an RBI single from Jacob Rogers to give the Pelicans a 2-0 lead.

Myrtle Beach added to it in the second with an RBI single from Mark Zagunis that scored Wes Darvill to make it 3-0.

Things didn’t look promising in the early going with Duane Underwood Jr. needing only eight pitches to get through the first inning, including two strikeouts and then setting down the ‘Cats one-two-three in the in the second.

However, Lynchburg came alive in the third and tied things up at three on the strength of two hits, two walks, and a hit by a pitch. Luigi Rodriguez led off with a triple that hit the centerfield wall. He scored on a single from James Roberts. After an error at first allowed Clint Frazier to reach and a Paul Hendrix walk, Bradley Zimmer drove in Roberts on a groundout to first. Nellie Rodriguez walked to load the bases and was followed by Mike Papi, who got hit on the top of the foot with a pitch to tie the game.

Myrtle Beach got a solo home run from Jacob Rogers in the sixth to retake the lead 4-3. Rogers shot had very little doubt as it easily cleared the right field wall.

They made matters worse in the seventh with a two-run double from Candelario. Candelario ended up scoring on the play when he tried to take third and the Alex Monsalve threw the ball into left field making it 7-3.

After the Hillcats went down one-two-three in the seventh, the sky opened up and ended any chance of completing the game.

Saturday night is Kentucky Derby Night at City Stadium. It is also the first Reading Night of the season presented by Children’s Dentistry and Orthodontics of Lynchburg. Additionally, there will be fireworks after the game presented by the Virginia Lottery. Fans that can’t make it out to the ballpark can tune in to the game on ESPN Radio Virginia 93.3 FM and 1320 AM. The Hillcats On-Deck Show begins at 6:10.