The Lynchburg Hillcats committed a season-high six errors and fell to Winston Salem, 7-3, at BB&T Ballpark Thursday night.
In the visitors’ half of the second inning, things looked good for Lynchburg when Nellie Rodriguez walked, and Paul Hendrix hit an RBI double into the right-center field gap to give the Hillcats a 1-0 lead.
Lynchburg committed a pair of errors in the bottom of the second to open the door for the Dash. Omar Narvaez and Keenyn Walker singled. They both advanced 90-feet on a throwing error by Paul Hendrix later in the frame. With the bases loaded and one out, T.J. Williams singled to tie the game, 1-1. Later in the frame, two runs scored on a fielder’s choice hit by Adam Engel where James Roberts committed a throwing error while trying to turn a double play.
Lynchburg stayed close when Bradley Zimmer walked in the fourth and advanced to third on a double by Eric Haase. With Mike Papi batting,Zimmer scored on a balk by Jake Cose to cut the deficit to 3-2.
With the score still 3-2 entering the sixth, Winston-Salem capitalized on three more Hillcats errors to take a 5-2 advantage. Narvaez and Walkerwalked and singled, respectively, to open the frame. A throwing error by Delvy Francisco on a bunt by Cleuluis Rondon allowed everyone to be safe and load the bases for Michael Suiter, who hit a sacrifice fly to left field to make it 4-2.
Two errors on one play allowed a run to score when Francisco tried to pick off Walker at second base and threw the ball into center field. Clint Frazier’s return throw to the infield was also off the mark, and Walker scored on the combination of miscues.
Winston-Salem added two more runs in the seventh on three hits, including RBI singles by Walker and Rondon.
Trailing 7-2 in the ninth, Lynchburg’s first three batters reached. Hendrix walked, and Mike Papi made his way on base after a bad throw by Trey Michalczewski. With two on and nobody out, James Roberts singled home Hendrix to make it 7-3 with still nobody out and the tying run on-deck, but the next three batters were retired in order to end the threat.
Lynchburg snapped its streak of five straight games with a homer…Nellie Rodriguez saw his streak of at least one RBI in each of his last nine contests come to an end…Lynchburg hit a very uncharacteristic 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position…The Hillcats were batting .278 in that situation prior to today…
Lynchburg looks to claim the series Friday night at 7 p.m. when Dace Kime (1-1, 4.60) starts for the Hillcats against Matt Heidenreich (6-0, 1.99). Fans can tune in to the action on ESPN Radio Virginia 93.3 FM and 1320 AM or on www.lynchburg-hillcats.com beginning at 6:40 p.m. for the Hillcats On-Deck Show.
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Chris Graham
