Late error bites Lynchburg Hillcats in 6-5 loss

The Lynchburg Hillcats dropped the first game of a nine-game road trip, falling 6-5 to the Wilmington Blue Rocks on Monday night.

Tied 5-5 in the eighth, the ‘Rocks scored the go-ahead run on an error. Nick Heath took off to steal third base, and James Karinchak (Loss, 0-1) fired a pick off throw that went wide of the bag and rolled down the left field line, allowing Heath to trot home for the winning run.

The Hillcats (3-2, 32-40) fall to 1-7 against the Blue Rocks (3-1, 34-40) at Frawley Stadium this season.

Lynchburg plated the games first run in the second inning. Jorma Rodriguez led off the inning with an infield single, and advanced to second when Dillon Persinger reached on a bunt hit. Two batters later, Logan Ice ripped an RBI single to right field to give the Hillcats a 1-0 lead.

Wilmington jumped ahead with a four-run second off of Hillcats starter Sam Hentges. With the bases loaded and two out, Vance Vizcaino ripped a two-run single to give the Blue Rocks their first lead. Later in the inning, Blake Perkins grooved an RBI single and Vizcaino scored on a wild pitch to put Wilmington ahead 4-1.

In the third, Lynchburg got a run back. Conner Capel led off with a walk and Rodriguez reached on an error. With Capel at third, Blue Rocks starter Daniel Tillo fired an errant pick off throw attempting to get Rodriguez at first base, allowing Capel to score and trim the deficit to 4-2.

Now a 5-2 game in the sixth, the Hillcats stormed back to even the contest. Persinger reached on a lead off single, and Ernie Clement singled. With two out, Mitch Longo roped a two-run double off the right field wall, plating both Persinger and Clement. A batter latter, Capel singled home Longo to tie the game.

Capel matched a career-best with three walks.

Hentges lasted just two innings, allowing four earned runs on four hits. Jared Robinson allowed a run in three frames and Dalbert Siri pitched two scoreless innings.

Blue Rocks starter Daniel Tillo logged five innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits. Arnoldo Hernandez surrendered the three runs in the sixth inning, while Vance Tatum (Win, 3-2) tossed a scoreless eighth and Julio Pinto (Save, 2) struck out the side in the ninth.

The series continues on Tuesday with the second game of the five-game series. Left-hander Tanner Tully (2-8, 5.30) will start for the Hillcats, opposite of Wilmington right-hander Jace Vines (2-8, 5.94). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at Frawley Stadium.

Max Gun will be on the air beginning at 6:20 p.m. with the Hillcats pregame show, on TuneIn Radio and Radio434.

For tickets and more information visit lynchburg-hillcats.com, the City Stadium box office, or call 434-528-1144.