The Lynchburg Hillcats scored runs in the eighth and ninth inning for a come-from-behind 2-1 over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Monday night at Calvin Falwell Field. Kyle Kubitza scored on a wild pitch with two outs in the ninth to walk off. The Hillcats have now won four games in walk-off fashion this season. The win guarantees the Hillcats their first series win since mid-June.
With one out in the ninth inning of a tie game, Kubitza drew a walk. Shawn McGill then struck out before Emerson Landoni hit an infield single to the right side that allowed Kubitza to get all the way to third on the diving stop by 2B Rougned Odor. With Elmer Reyes down to his final strike, a wild pitch bounced behind the plate and Kubitza took advantage, sliding in with the winning run.
Ryan Hinson, who made his second start and home debut for the Hillcats (11-17, 46-50) Monday night, was again impressive on the mound. Hinson gave up just one run on four hits in seven innings and left trailing but the late comeback saved him from another tough-luck loss. Luke Jackson pitched six scoreless innings for the Pelicans but took a no decision.
The Pelicans (18-11, 58-40) got their run in the third inning. Preston Beck hit a one-out double for the first hit by either club in the game. After a walk and a fly out Edwin Garcia delivered a two-out RBI single on a blooper into shallow right field to put Myrtle Beach up 1-0.
Lynchburg tied the game in the eighth when Elmer Reyes led off with a triple off the center field wall. The relay throw to third wound up sailing into the third base stands, forcing Reyes home to tie the game. The run came off of Ryan Harvey, who blew his second save of the season for Myrtle Beach.
Chasen Shreve made his 2013 Hillcats debut with a scoreless eighth inning, which was helped by a lineout double play. John Cornely (1-1) delivered a perfect ninth with a pair of strikeouts. Francisco Mendoza (2-2) took the loss after delivering the wild pitch.
The ‘Cats go for the sweep Tuesday at 7:05pm with gates opening at 6pm for Half-Price Tuesday; general admission tickets are just $4 courtesy of ABC 13. A.J. Holland (4-6, 4.55) gets the ball for Lynchburg against Myrtle Beach’s Alec Asher (6-6, 3.29) in the finale. If you can’t make it to the game join Erik Wilson and Jake Levy for the play-by-play starting with the Hillcats On-Deck Show, powered by Honda/Suzuki of Lynchburg, on 97.9 FM The Planet andlynchburg-hillcats.com
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Chris Graham
