The Lynchburg Hillcats snapped a five-game losing streak with a 7-1 win over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans tonight. Tyler’s Tewell’s three-run homer in the second inning gave the Hillcats a 3-1 lead, and they remained on top the rest of the night. Four Pitchers combined to shut out the Pelicans from the second inning through the ninth.
Chris Garia led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run, but that was the beginning and the end for the Pelicans (14-11, 58-35) production tonight. They collected nine more hits throughout the night, but went just 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position and stranded 14 on base.
Daniel Watts (1-2) earned his first win for the Hillcats (10-14, 44-50) tonight. He allowed just one run on four hits, while walking three and striking out four in five innings.
Tewell’s home run in the second answered Garia’s long ball in the first. It was his sixth of the season. He finished the night 2-for-3 with three RBIs, a double, and two runs scored. Will Skinner also went deep with a line drive over the left field fence to begin the fourth inning. It was his team-best ninth of the season and his first hit away from City Stadium. Following the homer, Luis Parra walked three batters in a row and was taken out of the game. Cody Ege entered in relief. He allowed all three inherited runners to score but went on to pitch three scoreless innings. Blake Brown picked up an RBI single and Eric Garcia collected an RBI on a fielder’s choice off Ege.
Benino Pruneda tossed the sixth and seventh scoreless for the Hillcats. He allowed four hits, including three in the seventh, but stranded the bases loaded. David Peterson surrendered a lead off single in the eighth but left the runner at second base. Finally, Alex Wilson finished the game with a scoreless ninth, allowing a two out single to Lewis Brinson. Wilson has now thrown 15 consecutive scoreless innings, and is just one out shy of he team best 15.1 inning streak from May 8 – June 7.
Parra (7-4) suffered the loss for the Pelicans. He was charged with all seven runs, six earned, on four hits. He walked three and struck out four. Two of the four hits left the yard. He’s now allowed 10 home runs this season, tied for the third-most in the league.
The Hillcats and Pelicans will complete their four-game series tomorrow night with a 7:05pm first pitch. The Hillcats will look to split the series with right-hander Jarett Miller (4-6, 4.25) on the mound against lefty Chad Bell (4-0, 3.70) for the Pelicans. The Hillcats On-Deck Show presented by Amtrak Virginia will go on the air at 6:40pm. Erik Wilson will have the call on 97.9 The Planet.
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Chris Graham
