Lynchburg routed Carolina in game one of the doubleheader at City Stadium, 15-1. The Hillcats offense exploded for seven extra-base hits, which included four home runs. Sean Brady threw a complete game and only allowed one run on five hits.
The Hillcats dropped the second game of the doubleheader 10-3 to end the team’s eight game winning streak. Anthony Santander went 2-3 with two doubles and two RBIs in the nightcap.
The Hillcats came one home run shy of tying a team record. The offense did not wait around to get on the board as Mark Mathias deposited a ball over the left field fence after a leadoff walk to Greg Allen. Bobby Bradley and Yu-Cheng Changreached base via walks. Tyler Krieger singled through the right side of the infield to drive in Bradley. Luigi Rodriguez followed with a sacrifice fly to bring in Chang and give the ‘Cats a 4-0 lead.
With two runners in scoring position Anthony Santander continued his hot streak and hit a double off the right field wall to plateTaylor Murphy and Allen. Bradley proceeded to hit his league-leading 18th home run to put Lynchburg up 8-0.
Lynchburg put together another four-run inning in the fifth with two more extra-base hits. Bradley and Chang began the frame with a walk and a single respectively. Luigi Rodriguez hit a double off the right field wall to drive in Chang and give the Hillcats a 10-1 advantage. Murphy followed the double with a triple down the first base line to bring in Rodriguez.
Rodriguez and Murphy followed with more fireworks in their next at-bats. Rodriguez crushed a two-run homer over the right field wall before Murphy connected with his seventh round tripper of the season for back-to-back homers, pushing the spread to 15-1.
Eight Hillcats recorded at least a hit or a RBI in the slugfest. Mathias went 3-4 with two RBIs and a run scored while improving his hit streak to 14 games. Rodriguez went 2-3 with four RBIs and two runs.
Sean Brady extended the ‘Cats scoreless innings streak to 33 before a fourth inning run. The lefty went all seven innings while striking out five and only allowing five hits. It was his fifth consecutive quality start. His last eight decisions have been wins, which puts his record at 10-3.
Prior to the second game of the doubleheader, the Hillcats had outscored opponents 72-16 during their eight-game winning streak… The offense hit 14 homers in that same span… Lynchburg’s eight game winning streak was its second longest of the season behind a 10 game winning streak from April 14 through April 23…The ‘Cats are on pace for 132 homers, which would pass the 2002 team’s mark of 131.
Lynchburg and Carolina will square off for the fourth game of the series at City Stadium Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Anderson Polanco (4-2, 4.02) will take the ball for the ‘Cats against Matt Withrow (5-4, 3.66). Fans can listen to the action on 93.3 FM and 1320 AM as well as www.lynchburg-hillcats.com, beginning with the Hillcats On-Deck Show at 6:15 p.m.
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