The Hillcats scored four runs in the first inning Tuesday night, and led the whole way. Racking up 14 hits and 11 runs in an 11-5 victory, the ‘Cats snapped a seven-game drought at BB&T Ballpark in Winston-Salem where they had not won since May 5.The win also snapped a current three-game losing streak overall.
After retiring two batters to start the night, LHP Joe Serafin for the Dash found himself in trouble very quickly. Phil Gosselin dropped a bases empty, two-out bunt for a base hit down the third base line to start the first inning rally. A walk and a fielder’s choice that did not find an out loaded the bases for Lynchburg. Christian Bethancourt, Geraldo Rodriguez, and Keenan Wiley followed RBi singles, scoring four runs in the frame. The Hillcats led 4-0.
Serafin would only last three and two-thirds innings. He gave up two eight runs on nine hits, while walking two and striking out three. He left the game in the fourth inning after Joe Leonard drove in a pair with a two-out single. RHP Jimmy Ballinger entered the game and struck out Bethancourt to end the inning. Lynchburg went ahead 8-2 at that point.
Bethancourt called it a night after the strike out. He had taken a wild pitch off his left shoulder the inning and bent over in pain. Play stopped for a minute or two before he decided to stay in the game, but not for long. Shawn McGill came in behind the plate in the bottom of the fourth.
RHP Caleb Brewer started for the HIllcats in his Advanced-A debut. He went four and two-thirds innings. He allowed two runs in the second on a two-run single to Tyler Saladino and two more in the fourth. Mike Blanke hit a solo shot, and Saladino added another RBI single.
Brewer loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth inning, walking the last two batters he faced. RHP Eliecer Cardenas was then brought in from the bullpen.
Cardenas popped up Daniel Wagner to end the threat. After five innings the ‘Cats led 8-4.
Lynchburg capped off their offensive night with three runs in the sixth. Joey Terdoslavich hit his 47th double of the season, driving in two runs. He later scored on an RBI single for McGill, which put the Hillcats up 11-4.
Cardenas would go on to finish the game for Lynchburg. He tossed a season-high four and one-third innings. He held the Dash scoreless up until the ninth inning. Juan Silverio singled in Jared Mitchell with two outs. It was the first earned run Cardenas had allowed since June 23. He made 15 consecutive scoreless appearances, pitching 19.2 innings in that span.
Since Brewer didn’t finsish five innings, Cardenas (4-2) earned the win and Serafin (4-10) took the loss.
The Hillcats are now 21-30 in the second half, still six games back of the Potomac Nationals for a playoff spot.
Lynchburg wraps up their road trip tomorrow night at 7:00 pm against the Dash. LHP Dimasther Delgado (8-6) will start for the ‘Cats. Winston-Salem will counter with LHP Matt Wickswat (5-3). Listen live to all the action starting with the Hillcats On-Deck Show powered by Honda/Suzuki of Lynchburg on 105.5 KD Country and online at Lynchburg-hillcats.com
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