Hillcats take series opener over Mudcats

Ten hits, three multi-run innings, and six shutout innings from their starter gave the Hillcats their fourth consecutive win on Tuesday night. Lynchburg finally took the field against someone other than Potomac or Frederick and that team featured a lot of familiar faces. The Carolina Mudcats have 10 former Hillcats after the two organizations switched affiliates in the offseason.

Lynchburg’s hitters gave one of those former Hillcats a poor welcoming by roughing up Lucas Sims for five runs on 2.2 innings. The ‘Cats got on the board in the first inning with an RBI double from Bradley Zimmer followed by a single from Nellie Rodriguez that Dustin Peterson misplayed in left field and allowed Zimmer to score making it 2-0.

The Hillcats tacked on 3 more when Zimmer led off with a single, Mike Papi walked, and Luigi Rodriguez blasted his third home run of the season over the right-center field wall to put the ‘Cats ahead 5-0.

Adam Plutko cruised through the lineup in his six innings of work. He only allowed three baserunners on two hits and a walk. He allowed both hits in the third, singles from Carlos Franco and Johan Camargo. He had four one-two-three innings and struck out six.

Lynchburg added to their lead in the fourth and sixth on three RBIs from Nellie Rodriguez. Rodriguez lined an RBI single to left in the fourth and then hit a laser of two-run home run that just barely cleared the left field wall. The home run was his third in four games and put the Hillcats up 8-0.

Carolina picked up two in the seventh on a two-run home run by Carlos Franco off Justin Brantley, but that would be all as the Hillcats won by a final of 8-2.

Plutko produced his third quality start of the season and picked up his first win, Brantley pitched two innings in relief and allowed the two runs on one hit, and Robbie Aviles finished the game with a perfect ninth.

Game two of the series is set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday night. If fans can’t make it out to City Stadium, tune in to ESPN Radio Virginia 93.3 FM or 1320 AM beginning at 6:10 for the Hillcats On Deck Show.