The Lynchburg Hillcats beat the Winston-Salem Dash 5-3 tonight and took the series 2-1. Lynchburg is now 11-6 against the Dash this season clinching a season-series win against the defending Southern Division champions for the first time since 2009. Ryan Hinson overcame a hiccup in the third inning tonight to complete six frames. He allowed just three earned runs and recorded his fifth quality start in five starts for the Hillcats.
The Dash (21-23, 59-54) started the scoring in the third. Hinson (2-2) allowed four consecutive hits to start the inning. Joey DeMichele and Kevan Smith collected RBI-singles. Pitching coach Derek Botelho visited the mound after Smith’s single. Hinson then settled down and retired his next nine batters in a row.
David Rohm ignited a two-out rally for the Hillcats (17-24, 53-57) with a single in the fourth. A wild pitch sent Rohm to second base before Josh Elander singled him home. Myles Jaye hit Trent Moses to put runners at first and second for Elmer Reyes. The Hillcats shortstop took a 1-1 fastball high and deep out to left field for a three-run homer. It was Reyes’ fourth home run of the season, all of which have come on the road. The ‘Cats went up 4-2.
Elander added to the Hillcats lead with an RBI-double in the sixth inning. Rohm scored on the play after recording his third hit of the night.
Courtney Hawkins cut into the Lynchburg lead in the bottom of the sixth with a solo homer. He snapped Hinson’s streak of nine straight retired batters, but Hinson didn’t unravel. He sat down the next three batters in order. Hinson allowed three earned runs in six innings on seven hits, walked just one, and struck out a season-high nine as he earned he win.
After Wilson Rivera threw a scoreless seventh inning, Nate Hyatt entered in the eighth. He needed just four pitches to get through a perfect eighth frame. It took him a few more pitches in the ninth, but he retired the side in order again and earned his 10th save of the year.
The Hillcats will travel to Wilmington Delaware next, beginning with a 7:05pm start tomorrow night. RHP A.J. Holland (4-7, 4.56) will start for Lynchburg against LHP Sam Selman (8-8, 3.61) for the Blue Rocks. The Hillcats On-Deck Show powered by Honda/Suzuki of Lynchburg will go on the air at 6:40pm. Listen live to the call with Erik Wilson on 97.9 FM The Planet and online at lynchburg-hillcats.com
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Chris Graham
