Seven-run inning gives Hillcats ninth straight win

Lynchburg recorded its ninth straight victory to improve to a Minor League-best 13-3 overall to begin the year. In the second inning they sent a season-high 11 batters to the plate, scoring seven runs on six hits. Anthony Santander and Daniel Salterseach recorded two hits and a base on balls. Justus Sheffield earned the win for the ‘Cats as he pitched five innings while striking out six and allowing two runs.

Dorssys Paulino lead the second frame off with a single, which was followed by a double from Mike Papi to put runners in scoring position. The next five batters for Lynchburg reached base to put them up 4-0. Paulino recorded his second single of the inning, which brought Yu-Cheng Chang and Anthony Santander home and gave Lynchburg a 7-0 lead. Santander lead the team with two runs batted in as the entire lineup contributed to the victory.

Frederick spread out its runs scoring one in the fourth, two in the sixth and two in the eighth. The “Cats added a late insurance run when Santander doubled in Greg Allen in the bottom of the eighth. Lynchburg went 5-for-12 with runners in scoring position for the game.

Justus Sheffield (2-0) had another strong start in his debut season for Lynchburg. The 2014 first round draft pick extended the pitching staff’s scoreless innings streak to 26 2/3 before surrendering a two-out RBI triple to Jomar Reyes in the fourth. Sheffield earned his second win in his fourth start and brought his ERA to 2.45 on the season. Jordan Milbrath pitched 2 2/3 innings in relief, striking out five during his outing. Trevor Frank recorded four outs for his fourth save of the year and lowered his ERA to 1.50.

Lynchburg extended its winning streak to nine games, having not lost since April 13… The ‘Cats have defeated the Keys in all six contests this year by a combined 41-17…Mike Papi has reached base in all 14 of his games played this year…Lynchburg’s all-time winning streak in the Hillcats era is 12 in a row set in 2002.

Lynchburg returns to action against the Frederick Keys for a Saturday evening contest at 6:30 p.m. Mitch Brown will start for the Hillcats as they try to move their winning streak to double digits. 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.