The Lynchburg Hillcats came from behind for the second straight day, beating the Potomac Nationals, 6-4, on Sunday to take three of four games in the series.
Lynchburg (10-7) broke a 4-4 tie in the seventh inning when Conner Capel laced a two-run single to left field. Capel finished the four-game series against Potomac (9-9) with six RBI and extended his hitting streak to a season-high eight games.
The Hillcats starting the scoring with a pair of runs in the first inning. Playing for the first time in six games, Gavin Collins blasted a two-run home run, his first of the season, to give Lynchburg an early 2-0 advantage.
Potomac cut the lead in half in the bottom of the first, as Lynchburg starter Sam Hentges allowed three consecutive two-out hits. Jakson Reetz ripped an RBI single to left field, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
In the second inning, Lynchburg added a run to make it 3-1 when Logan Ice scored on a wild pitch.
The Nats evened the contest at 3-3 in the home half of the second. David Masters and Edwin Lora both reached to start the frame, and Blake Perkins hit a two-run double.
Hentges departed the game with a runner at second base with two out in the fourth inning, giving way to the Hillcats bullpen. Anderson Polanco took over and walked three consecutive hitters to walk in a run, as Reetz worked a bases-loaded walk to give the Nats their first lead, 4-3.
Lynchburg knotted the score again in the sixth inning. Emmanuel Tapia hit a solo blast, his second of the season, to make it a 4-4 deadlock before Capel’s hit in the seventh inning won the game.
Hentges allowed a season-high four earned runs on six hits in 3.1 innings. Polanco walked four in 1.1 innings of relief, and Kieran Lovegrove (Win, 1-0) pitched two scoreless innings and struck out three. Henry Martinez (Save, 4) picked up his second two-inning save of the season.
Lynchburg’s bullpen combined for 5.1 scoreless innings and allowed just one hit, striking out six.
Nats starter Joan Baez pitched five innings and allowed three earned runs on four hits, striking out two. Jorge Pantoja (Loss, 0-1) took the loss after allowing Capel’s two-run single in the seventh.
The Hillcats have now won six of seven games, and won three straight over the Nationals after dropping the series-opener.
After an off-day on Monday, the Hillcats will return home on Tuesday to begin a six-game homestand. The Winston-Salem Dash will visit City Stadium first, and will send righty Dylan Cease (2-1, 3.45) to the mound against Lynchburg right-hander Zach Plesac (1-1, 4.08). It will be 2-Fur-Tuesday at the ballpark, featuring Buy 1, Get 1 free tickets and $2 concession deals. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Max Gun and Matt Present will be on the air with pre-game coverage starting at 6:20 p.m. on TuneIn Radio and Radio434.
For tickets or more information, visit lynchburg-hillcats.com, call 434-528-1144. or stop by the City Stadium box office.
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Chris Graham
