The Lynchburg Hillcats dropped the second game of the the four-game set against Carolina, losing 3-2 to the Mudcats on Saturday.
The Hillcats (42-48, 13-10) went just 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position in the defeat to the Milwaukee Brewers affiliate (47-45, 13-9).
The Mudcats broke a 2-2 tie in the seventh inning, when Ryan Aguilar plated Dallas Carroll with a sacrifice fly.
In the ninth, Lynchburg put the tying and go-ahead runs on base when Li-Jen Chu and Jorma Rodriguez singled, but Luke Barker (Save, 13) struck out Alexis Pantoja to end the game.
Carolina scored the game’s first run in the bottom of the first inning. Devin Hairston led off the frame with a single, and advanced to third on a two-base error, when Emmanuel Tapia could not handle a pick off throw from Zach Plesac. Two batters later, Demi Orimoloye ripped an RBI single to give the Mudcats a 1-0 lead.
Lynchburg plated two runs in the third to take a 2-1 lead. Rodriguez led off with a double, and advanced to third on a groundout by Pantoja. Ernie Clement knocked in Rodriguez with a sacrifice fly to tie the game. Later in the inning, Mitch Longo doubled and Trenton Brooks drove him in with an RBI double after a 13-pitch at-bat to put the Hillcats on top.
The Mudcats evened the score at 2-2 in the fifth. Joantgel Segovia singled and moved to second base when Plesac balked. With two out, Orimoloye grooved his second RBI single of the day to plate Segovia to knot the game.
Plesac allowed two runs (one earned) on eight hits in 5.1 innings. Ben Krauth (Loss, 2-2) allowed the sac fly from Aguilar in the seventh. He struck out four and walked three (two intentional) in 2.2 frames.
Conor Harbor logged six innings for the Mudcats, allowing two runs on four hits, striking out five. Nittino Diplan (Win, 4-1) pitched two scoreless innings in relief.nail down the win.
The Hillcats and Mudcats return to action on Sunday, with the third game of the four-game series. Left-hander Anderson Polanco (1-1, 4.10) will start for Lynchburg, and will be countered by right-hander Victor Diaz (5-5, 4.24) of Carolina. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Five County Stadium.
Max Gun and Matt Present will be on the air at 1:50 p.m. with the Hillcats pregame show, on TuneIn Radio and Radio434.
The Hillcats return home on Wednesday, July 18, for six games. Home stand highlights include Winning Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday, featuring $2 Miller Lite and Yuengling drafts, You’re Killing Me Smalls Night on July 20, consisting of an Evan Gattis bobblehead giveaway to the first 1,000 fans, and a used car giveaway on July 21.
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
