The Lynchburg Hillcats held off a late comeback to sweep the Wilmington Blue Rocks on Thursday, winning 6-4.
Lynchburg (61-58, 32-20) extends their first place division lead to 2.5 games over Wilmington (60-61, 29-22) in the Carolina League North Division.
The Hillcats were fueled by a five-run fifth inning. Tyler Friis led off the frame with a double, and Anthony Miller clubbed a two-run home run, his fifth of the season, to give Lynchburg a 2-0 lead. Following the homer, Gianpaul Gonzalez doubled and Mitch Longo doubled him home two batters later for a 3-0 lead. Trenton Brooks laced an RBI single to drive in Longo, pushing the advantage to 4-0. The fifth run of the inning scored on an error.
Four of Lynchburg’s five hits in the inning went for extra bases, including three doubles and a home run.
Tanner Tully (Win, 5-10) was cruising through five innings, having retired 12 straight before Blake Perkins hit a solo homer with one out in the sixth.
In the seventh, Tully was chased after allowing an RBI single to Travis Jones and another run on a wild pitch, trimming the deficit to 5-3. He went 6.1 innings, allowing three runs on five hits.
Lynchburg tacked on another run in the eighth. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Dillon Persinger lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, putting Lynchburg further in front, 6-3.
Meibrys Viloria drove home a run with an RBI single in the eighth to cap the scoring.
Nick Sandlin (Save, 3) struck out Angelo Castellano, who represented the tying run at the plate, to end the game.
Nolan Watson (Loss, 6-3) started for the Blue Rocks and allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits in 4.1 innings. He walked four and struck out three.
The Hillcats return home on Friday to take on the Frederick Keys in a three-game weekend series. Right-hander Eli Morgan (7-5, 3.83) will start for Lynchburg, opposite of left-hander Alex Wells (5-7, 3.54) for Frederick. 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. on TuneIn Radio and Radio434.
Friday will be Mario Kart Night, featuring a Triston McKenzie bobblehead giveaway to the first 1,000 fans, presented by Pepsi. Other homestand highlights include Sparkling Saturday on August 18, courtesy of Food Lion, as well as a pre-game ceremony for retiring General Manager, Ronnie Roberts. Sandlot Sunday will feature post-game family catch in the outfield, kids run the bases, and wiffle ball, presented by MedExpress.
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
