Winston-Salem scored four runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back as Jordan Guerrero held Lynchburg to just four hits in a career-high 8 1/3 innings, and a late rally by the Hillcats fell short in a 5-4 defeat in the second-half opener at Calvin Falwell Field Thursday night.
GURU GUERRERO
Winston-Salem starting pitcher Jordan Guerrero surrendered three hits in a row to Lynchburg to start the game, but didn’t allow another one until the ninth inning. After the Dash had already plated four runs on five hits in the opening half-inning, Yhoxian Medina singled from the leadoff position in the bottom of the first, and Clint Frazier doubled to put runners at second and third. Both were driven home by Paul Hendrix to cut the lead to 4-2.
Guerrero allowed just one base runner until the ninth inning when he hit Joe Sever in the bottom of the fourth inning. In the bottom of the ninth, Medina doubled with one out in the inning, and Frazier walked before Guerrero was pulled just shy of a complete game. He finished the night allowing four runs on four hits while striking out a season-high seven batters over a career-high 8 1/3 innings.
IT’S NOT OVER UNTIL IT’S OVER
Staring at a three-run deficit heading into the bottom of the ninth, Lynchburg wouldn’t go quietly into the night. Lynchburg loaded the bases when Medina reached on a double, Frazier walked, and Joe Sever singled before LeVon Washington drove home both runners with a two-RBI single that cut the lead down to one, 5-4. Washington now has three RBIs through his first three games with the Hillcats. Unfortunately, the rally fell short as Eric Haase struck out looking to end the game.
AUDIO: Washington Two-RBI Single
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Lynchburg turned three double plays against Winston-Salem, setting a season high for the third time this season. The Hillcats last turned three double plays on April 22 at home against Frederick. With the three twin killings, the Hillcats now lead the Carolina League in double plays turned with 72.
Along with the double plays, the Hillcats cranked out two more extra-base hits as Frazier and Medina each doubled in the game giving Lynchburg 136 doubles this season and 208 extra-base hits, the most of any team in both categories.
KEEPING UP WITH THE ‘CATS
Bradley Zimmer, Nellie Rodriguez, and Luigi Rodriguez each had the night off after participating in the Carolina League-California League All-Star Game Tuesday night in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif…Luis Lugo has now lost four of his last five starts after allowing five runs on seven hits, but he did tie season highs in innings pitched with six and strikeouts with seven…With the loss, Lynchburg fell to 5-3 against Winston-Salem this season.
UP NEXT
Lynchburg continues the three-game series with Winston-Salem on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. Ronnie “Wild Thing” Roberts bobbleheads will be given out to the first 1,000 fans through the gate. Fans can tune in to the action on ESPN Virginia 93.3 FM and 1320 AM as well as www.lynchburg-hillcats.com beginning at 6:10 p.m. for the Hillcats On-Deck Show.
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Chris Graham
