The Lynchburg Hillcats hit three home runs en route to a 10-5 win and four-game sweep over the Frederick Keys on Tuesday.
The Hillcats (9-4, 38-42) homered 12 times in the series, sending the Keys (3-10, 38-44) to their sixth straight loss.
Down 1-0 entering the second inning, Lynchburg plated four runs. With two out, Jorma Rodriguez reached on a bunt single, and Erlin Cerda walked. Emmanuel Tapia followed with an RBI single to tie the game at 1-1. The next hitter, Angel Lopez, blasted a three-run home run, his first of the year, to give Lynchburg a 4-1 lead.
In the fifth, Jodd Carter launched a solo home run, his first of two long balls on the night, to widen the gap to 5-1.
Carter hit his second homer of the game in the sixth, a two-run shot, stretch the advantage to 7-1.
Frederick made a comeback bid in the sixth inning. Wilson Garcia hit his second solo home run of the night to trim the lead to 7-2.
The Keys scored three runs in the seventh inning. Jake Ring hit an RBI groundout and Yojhan Quevedo hit a two-run home run, tightening the game to 7-5.
Lynchburg added some insurance to put the game out of reach in the ninth. Trenton Brooks and Tapia walked, and Lopez hit a bloop single to center field to plate Brooks. Ernie Clement followed with a two-run single, scoring both Tapia and Lopez to give the Hillcats a 10-5 lead, capping the scoring.
Tuesday marked the first time this season that the Hillcats scored double digit runs in back-to-back games. Nine of the Hillcats 10 runs came with two out. Lynchburg picks up their second four-game sweep on the road this season, and first since May 10-13 over the Salem Red Sox.
Zach Plesac (Win, 5-4) pitched six innings and allowed two earned runs on three hits, striking out five. Jared Robinson was tagged for three runs in the seventh inning, while Billy Strode and Dalbert Siri (Save, 4) combined for two scoreless innings.
Mike Baumann (Loss, 4-2) surrendered five earned runs on seven hits in five innings. Steve Klimek allowed two runs in two innings and Matt Trowbridge gave up three runs over two frames.
The Hillcats return home on Wednesday to take on the Wilmington Blue Rocks to start a nine-game home stand. Right-hander Justin Garza (3-6, 3.86) will start for Lynchburg against Wilmington righty Nolan Watson (1-0, 4.22). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at City Stadium.
Max Gun and Matt Present will be on the air beginning at 6:20 p.m. with the Hillcats pregame show, on TuneIn Radio and Radio434.
Gates will open at a special time of 4 p.m. The Sandbar Band, a Jimmy Buffett cover band, will be live at City Stadium performing from 4 p.m. until approximately 6:15 p.m. After the game, fans will enjoy a special Independence Day fireworks show, presented by Kroger and Westover Dairy.
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
