Michael Peoples pitched seven scoreless innings as Lynchburg shut out Potomac 2-0 in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at City Stadium. The win was the 10th of the season for Peoples.
KNUCKLE SANDWICH
Potomac sent 32-year-old knuckleballer Jeff Howell to the mound against Lynchburg and the Hillcats took advantage early. LeVon Washington walked to start the game, and Claudio Bautista doubled to give the Hillcats runners at second and third base with no outs.Clint Frazier drove home Washington with a RBI groundout to short, and Dorssys Paulino doubled to score Bautista and give the Hillcats a 2-0 advantage in the bottom of the first. The Hillcats only mustered three more hits against Howell for the remainder of the contest.
PEOPLES DOMINATES AGAIN
For the second consecutive start, Michael Peoples did not allow a run to score as he cruised to his 10th win of the season. Peoples hurled seven scoreless innings and surrendered just four hits while walking two and striking out three. The Nationals never had a runner advance past second base and only had four baserunners advance into scoring position. Justin Brantley tossed a scoreless eighth before Trevor Frankretired the side in order in the ninth to earn his first save of the season.
KEEPING UP WITH THE CATS
Michael Peoples pitched seven scoreless innings against the Nationals…He has not allowed a run to score over his last 13 2/3 innings pitched…Since the All-Star break, Peoples is 5-0 with a 1.72 ERA in nine starts and 11 appearances…The 2-0 win is the ninth time the Hillcats have shut out an opponent this season…With the win and a Frederick loss, the Hillcats extended their lead to four games over the Keys with 14 games to play.
UP NEXT
Lynchburg will hit the road for a seven-game road trip beginning with a three-game series against the Salem Red Sox on Monday night at 7:05 p.m. Fans can tune in to the action on ESPN Virginia 93.3 FM and 1320 AM as well as www.lynchburg-hillcats.com beginning at 6:40 p.m. for the Hillcats On-Deck Show.