The Lynchburg Hillcats dropped a second consecutive game for the first time since dropping three in a row to the Salem Red Sox April 18-21 tonight. The Myrtle Beach Pelicans defeated the ‘Cats 8-2. The Hillcats were retired in order in six of their nine chances at the plate, as they dropped the second game of their current week-long road trip.
Trever Adams gave the Pelicans the early lead with a two-run home run in the first inning. It was his fifth of the season. The Hillcats came back with one run in the second inning. Elmer Reyes grounded into a fielder’s choice allowing David Rohm to score from third. The Hillcats trailed 2-1.
Pelicans’ starter Nick Martinez didn’t run into trouble again until the sixth inning. After retiring 11 consecutive Hillcats, Matt Lipka led off the sixth with a bunt single. Ross Heffley then doubled home Lipka. Martinez (3-2) completed six frames on his way to the win, allowing five hits, two runs, one earned, walking two, and striking out three.
The Pelicans ran away with a comfortable win scoring in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh innings.
Hillcats starter Navery Moore exited the game with two outs in the fifth. He left an inherited runner at third while lefty Ronan Pacheco came in to face lefty batter Kellin Deglan. A wild pitch from Pacheco allowed the inherited runner to score, but then he retired Deglan to end the inning. The Pelicans led 5-1 after five innings.
John Cornely pitched the sixth for Lynchburg. He gave up two runs, one earned on three hits. His first four batters reached. He then struck out the side around an error to get out of the inning.
The Hillcats went to Wilson Rivera in the seventh, who surrendered the eighth and final Pelicans run. A double from Chris Grayson, followed by a balk and an RBI-groundout for Patrick Cantwell plated the final score.
The only reliever, not to see a run come in while he was on the mound was Nate Hyatt, who tossed a scoreless eighth inning.
The Hillcats fell to 16-14 with the loss, while the Pelicans improved to 19-13, tied for the best record in the league with the Frederick Keys.
Lynchburg looks to avoid the sweep in Myrtle Beach tomorrow night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm. The Hillcats will throw RHP James Hoyt (2-0, 1.78) against RHP Luke Jackson (3-1, 2.60) for the Pelicans. The Hillcats On-Deck Show powered by Honda/Suzuki of Lynchburg will go on the air at 6:40pm. Listen live to all the action on 97.9 FM The Planet and online at lynchburg-hillcats.com
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Chris Graham
