Late Lynchburg rally falls short in 6-3 loss

The Lynchburg Hillcats were held scoreless until the eighth inning as they lost to the Pelicans 6-3 tonight. David Rohm singled to break up the perfect game bid for Luke Jackson with two outs in fifth inning, and finished with two hits and a run scored. Trailing 6-0 after four innings, the Hillcats failed to come back late, dropping their third straight game.

Blaine Sims made his fourth start for the Hillcats (2-6, 38-39) tonight. He gave up runs in pairs three times tonight including two in the first, third, and fourth frames. The new knuckle-baller struggled with control walking six while also allowing six hits including a pair of home runs.

While the Pelicans (4-3, 44-32) scored all six of their runs in the first four innings, the Hillcats failed to reach base. Jackson (8-4) struck out five through four perfect innings. He stranded Rohm at first base after he singled in the fifth. The Hillcats then loaded the bases in the sixth inning. Matt Lipka singled with two outs, and Levi Hyams and Josh Elander drew back-to-back walks. Jackson pitched out of the jam by getting Trent Moses to line out to right field.

Jackson completed a season-high seven innings scoreless, allowing just two hits, walking two, while striking out six in his winning effort. He lowered his ERA to a league-best 2.30 and now leads the lead in wins as well.

The Hillcats were able to score only once Jackson left the game. Three straight singles plated a run with two outs in the eighth inning. Moses drove in Hyams. Trailing 6-1 entering the ninth, the Hillcats plated two more runs in their final effort. Lipka collected his fourth triple of the season, and drove in two.

Sims (0-4) suffered the loss as the Hillcats fell below .500 for the first time since they were 8-9 after a loss on April 23.

Game two is set for tomorrow at 7:05pm at TicketReturn.com Field. RHP Navery Moore (7-6, 5.65) will start for the Hillcats against RHP Nick Martinez (6-4, 2.85) for the Pelicans. The Hillcats On-Deck Show powered by Honda/Suzuki of Lynchburg will come on the air at 6:40pm. Tune to the live radio broadcast with Erik Wilson on 97.9 FM The Planet and online at lynchburg-hillcats.com