Hillcats offense comes to life in 8-2 win

The Lynchburg Hillcats offense awoke with eight runs on 11 hits in a 8-2 victory of the Winston-Salem Dash. Michael Spina and Emerson Landoni each had three RBIs, while pitcher Dimasther Delgado went a career-high seven innings and retired fourteen straight from the third through the seventh.

It was a rough start for the ‘Cats and pitcher Dimasther Delgado in the series finale Keenyan Walker started the game off by reaching on a shortstop Nick Ahmed’s 23rd error of the season. Walker moved over on a ground out that could have been a double play if Edward Salcedo didn’t boot it initially. With two down, Dan Black’s RBI single scored Walker to give the Dash a 1-0 lead.

The top of the second wasn’t much better. Back-to-back singles started the frame, then third baseman, Edward Salcedo, committed his first of two errors on the day to load the bases. It would be Daniel Wagner that would hit a sharp single to score a run and push the lead to 2-0.

Lynchburg’s offense woke up in the bottom of the third. Erik Johnson walked Chris Garcia to start the frame before giving up a double to Michael Spina that scored Garcia from first and cut the lead in half. David Rohm and Emerson Landoni each followed with an RBI single to give the ‘Cats a 3-2 lead they would not relinquish.

The bottom of the third was again a highlight for Spina. With two on, Spina hit a bases clearing double to give the ‘Cats a 5-2 cushion.

Johnson’s woes continued in the bottom of the fourth when Landoni was the catalyst for another run. This time, Dan Brewer hit a sac fly to right field and Landoni added the sixth run of the game for the Hillcats.

That would be all Delgado needed as he cruised from the end of the third through the seventh inning, including 14 straight retired before turning the reigns over to new ‘Cats, John Cornely. The newest ‘Cat would retire his only six batters, five by way of strike out.

For good measure,  the ‘Cats added two in the bottom of the eighth when Landoni hit a two-run double to cement the lead at 8-2.

Delgado (7-6) earned his first win since the 22nd of July. He tied a season and career-high by going seven innings. Delgado also struck out five and didn’t walk a batter in the victory. Johnson (3-3) picked up the loss by giving up six runs in five innings on eight hits.