The Lynchburg Hillcats came from behind to beat the Wilmington Blue Rocks, 8-3, on Tuesday night.
The Hillcats (4-2, 33-40) picked up their first road win since June 1 and defeat the Blue Rocks (3-2, 34-41) for the second time this year and the first time since April 13.
Tied 2-2 going into the ninth inning, Lynchburg scored six runs and sent 11 hitters to the plate to go ahead 8-2. The inning started with Jorma Rodriguez reaching second base on a double error. Rodriguez laid down a bunt right back to the pitcher Carter Hope (Loss, 3-2), but Hope bobbled the ball before throwing it down the right field line. Anthony Miller walked, and Jodd Carter crushed an RBI double to the left-center gap to score Rodriguez. Alexis Pantoja followed with an RBI single to score Miller, and left fielder Rudy Martin over ran the ball for an error, allowing Carter to score and Pantoja to move up to second base. Ernie Clement then reached on an infield single, but a throwing error allowed him to move to second while Pantoja scored. To cap the inning’s scoring, Conner Capel hit an RBI double to score Clement.
Lynchburg’s six-run ninth inning came on four hits, two walks, a hit batter and four errors.
Wilmington took an early lead in the first inning. D.J. Burt tripled and scored on a Khalil Lee sacrifice fly.
The Hillcats took their first lead with two runs in the sixth. Mitch Longo singled to lead off the frame and stole second base. Capel followed by hitting a ground ball to first base that went under the glove of Travis Jones for an error, allowing Longo to score to tie the game. With two out, Rodriguez singled home Capel to give Lynchbug a 2-1 lead.
Wilmington tied the game at 2-2 on a Lee RBI single in the bottom of the sixth.
In the bottom of the ninth, Leandro Linares (Win, 1-0) walked in a run, but Ben Krauth (Save, 1) induced a line drive double play with the bases loaded to end the game.
The six errors committed by Wilmington were a season-high for a Hillcats opponent.
Hillcats starter Tanner Tully worked seven strong innings on Tuesday, giving up just two runs on six hits, striking out four. The left-hander leads Lynchburg’s rotation with six quality starts.
Wilmington starter Jace Vines allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits in six innings. Hope surrendered six runs (four earned) on five hits in 2.2 frames.
The series continues on Wednesday with the third game of the five-game series. Right-hander Eli Morgan (3-2, 2.62) will start for the Hillcats against Wilmington right-hander Ofreidy Gomez (2-5, 4.12). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at Frawley Stadium.
Max Gun will be on the air beginning at 6:25 p.m. with the Hillcats pregame show, on TuneIn Radio and Radio434.
For tickets and more information visit lynchburg-hillcats.com, the City Stadium box office, or call 434-528-1144.
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Chris Graham
