The Lynchburg Hillcats came from behind for the second straight game, beating the Down East Wood Ducks, 3-2, on Thursday night.
The Hillcats (48-53, 19-15) were out-hit by the Wood Ducks (46-59, 11-24) 8-6, and won just their sixth game all season when being out-hit by their opponent.
With a runner at second base and two out in the bottom of the tenth inning, Dalbert Siri (Save, 7) got Josh Altmann to pop out to end the game.
The Hillcats broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the tenth. Alexis Pantoja started the inning at second base, and moved to third on a single from Ernie Clement. Mitch Longo then hit into a fielder’s choice that plated Pantoja, putting Lynchburg ahead, 3-2
Down East scored the first run of the game in the second inning. Ricky Valencia belted a solo home run, his second of the year, to give the Woodies a 1-0 lead.
Lynchburg was unable to touch starter Emerson Martinez on the night. The right-hander fired six scoreless innings and allowed two hits.
The Hillcats were able to break through against David Lebron in the seventh. Conner Capel hit a lead off triple, and scored on an RBI single from Emmanuel Tapia to tie the game at 1-1.
In the eighth, Lynchburg got to Lebron again. Clement led off the frame with a walk, and moved to second base on a wild pitch. After advancing to third on a groundout, Clement scored on a fielder’s choice hit into by Longo for a 2-1 lead.
In the home eighth, Down East loaded the bases with nobody out. Nick Pasquale allowed the first two to reach, and then Ben Krauth (Win, 4-2) was summoned in relief. The left-hander was able to get a strikeout and pop out, but with two away, Altmann blooped an RBI single to the game at 2-2.
Sam Hentges started for Lynchburg and went five innings, allowing just one run on three hits, striking out six. Pasquale allowed a run in two innings and Krauth fired 2.2 scoreless frames and struck out five.
Lebron allowed two runs in two innings for Down East, with Beras allowing the winning run in the tenth.
With the win, Lynchburg improves to 2-7 in extra-inning contests.
The Hillcats road trip continues on Friday with the first of a three-game set against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Left-hander Anderson Polanco (1-1, 3.89) will start for Lynchburg, opposite of right-hander Cory Abbott (2-5, 4.24) of the Birds. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at TicketReturn.com Field.
Max Gun and Matt Present will be on the air beginning at 6:55 p.m. on TuneIn Radio and Radio434.
For tickets and more information visit lynchburg-hillcats.com, the City Stadium box office, or call 434-528-1144.
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Chris Graham
