Graham Outduels Buckel Again, 'Cats Win 2-1
Published on June 7, 2012 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Hill City Howlers News Release
Myrtle Beach, SC - Two of the top pitchers in the Carolina League met tonight at Ticketreturn.com Field and did not disappoint. The Hillcats bested the Pelicans 2-1 in an expected pitchers' duel. RHP J.R. Graham went seven innings for Lynchburg and only allowed one run on his way to his league-leading seventh win of the season.
Pelicans' starter Cody Buckel pitched well, but for the second time in two weeks, was out done by Graham. The two matched up on May 23 in Myrtle Beach, and the final of the game was 2-1 as well. Graham winning the game, and Buckel losing.
The first Hillcats run scored in the top of the third inning. Braeden Schlehuber singled to lead off the frame. He was sacrificed to second, and two batters later, Nick Ahmed singled him home. It was 1-0 Lynchburg.
Schlehuber led off the fifth inning with a single as well. Again, Emerson Landoni was asked to sacrifice him to to second base, which he did without issue. Mycal Jones drove in Schlehuber with his lone hit on the night. Schlehuber finished the night, 3-for-4 and scored both Lynchburg runs. They led 2-0 heading into the later innings.
Buckel didn't make it through the sixth inning. Two singles and an error loaded the bases. Then Schlehuber grounded to the third baseman Christian Villanueva. Villanueva stepped on third and threw home where a tag was applied for a double play. Buckel was then taken out of the game. Submariner Ben Rowen got the final out of the sixth without a run scoring.
Graham gave up his one and only run in the bottom of the sixth. Cafe Martinez doubled to lead off the inning. He advanced to third base on a groundball to first, and then scored on an infield single for Tomas Telis.
Graham (7-1) completed seven innings, giving up just four hits, walking none, and struck out five on his way to the win. Buckel (4-3) surrendered two earned on seven hits, while walking two and striking out five in his losing effort.
RHP Andrew Wilson recorded his fifth hold of the season with a scoreless eighth, and RHP Juan Jaime got his tenth save in ten opportunities with a scoreless ninth.
The Hillcats are now 30-28 this season. They lead the Northern Division by 2.5 games with just 12 games to play in the first half.
Lynchburg travels home tonight to start a six day homestand tomorrow night at City Stadium. They will open up with a doubleheader against the Frederick Keys at 6:05pm Friday night. The fourth overall pick in the 2011 MLB Draft, RHP Dylan Bundy (1-1, 2.70), will start game one for the Keys. Bundy did not allow an earned run in 30 innings for Low-A Delmarva this year and is regarded as one of the top ten prospects in all of Minor League Baseball. The Hillcats will counter with LHP Chris Masters (0-0, -), who will make his 2012 Hillcat debut, fresh from Double-A Mississippi. If you can't make it to the ballpark, you can listen live to all the action starting with the Hillcats On-Deck Show powered by Honda/Suzuki of Lynchburg starting at 5:50pm on 105.5 FM KD Country and online at lynchburg-hillcats.com.
Carolina League Stories from June 7, 2012
- Rain Delays, Then Blackout Halts Sox-Dash Finale - Salem RidgeYaks
- Dash, Red Sox Canceled Due to Power Outage - Winston-Salem Dash
- Keys Topple Nationals 6-2 - Frederick Keys
- Graham Outdoes Buckel in 2-1 Loss - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Keys Take Series with 6-2 Win over Nationals - Potomac Nationals
- Graham Outduels Buckel Again, 'Cats Win 2-1 - Hill City Howlers
- Mudcats Crumble Blue Rocks - Carolina Mudcats
- Big Innings Blow out Wilmington - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Blue Rocks Game Notes - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- The Bundy Tour Continues Through Lynchburg - Hill City Howlers
- Mudcats Game Notes - June 7 - Carolina Mudcats
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Hill City Howlers
- BB&T Ballpark Hosts Graduation - Winston-Salem Dash
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