Alvarez Walk-Off Blast Buries Winston-Salem
Published on April 16, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
Lynchburg, VA - Pedro Alvarez hit a walk-off, three-run home run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift Lynchburg (6-2) to a 9-6 win over Winston-Salem (3-5) in the series finale on Thursday night at City Stadium. Alvarez, the 2nd overall selection in the 2008 draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates, registered two hits and career-high six RBI in leading the Hillcats, who won the final three games of this four-game series.
Tied a six entering the bottom of the ninth inning, Dash reliever Miguel Socolovich surrendered a leadoff double to Kris Watts. After Alex Presley struck out for the first out, Jose De Los Santos was intentionally walked. Next, Jordy Mercer went down on strikes for the second out to set up the dramatic finish.
Jordan Danks led off the game with a solo home run off Hillcats starting pitcher Ronal Uviedo to give the Dash an early lead. Later in the inning, Winton-Salem put runners on the corners with two outs. Christian Marrero hit a dribbler down the first base line that was bobbled by Kent Sakamoto, which allowed another run to score to give the Dash an early 2-0 advantage.
Lynchburg's offense came to life with four runs in the third inning against Dash starting pitcher Charlie Shirek. Alex Presley, De Los Santos and Mercer tallied RBI base hits and Alvarez added a run-scoring sacrifice fly to give the Hillcats a 4-2 lead. Avarez delivered a bases-loaded single in the fifth inning to plate two more runs and extend the Hillcats advantage to 6-2.
The Dash tied the game with a four-run eighth inning against Hillcats reliever Dustin Molleken. Seth Loman drilled a two-run double and Adam Ricks followed with an RBI double to bring Winston-Salem within a run at 6-5. Danks, who finished 3-for-5, drove an RBI double to center field to knot the score at six.
Socolovich (0-1) took the loss after allowing three runs on two hits in 1.2 innings of relief. R.J. Rodriguez (1-0) worked a perfect ninth inning to garner the win for the Hillcats.
Winston-Salem will continue their 14-game road trip to begin the season when they return to Kinston to open a three-game series on Friday night. The Dash will hand the ball to RHP Levi Maxwell (0-1, 4.50) while the Indians are expected to start RHP Zach Putnam (1-0, 1.80). The first pitch from Grainger Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Carolina League Stories from April 16, 2009
- Pelicans drop first series of the year - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Sox Swept in Twin-Bill, Finish Homestand at 3-5 - Salem RidgeYaks
- Third baseman has six RBI night to lead Cats to series win - Lynchburg Hillcats
- P-Nats Sweep Red Sox, Head Home 4-4 - Potomac Nationals
- Keys finish eight game trip with win - Frederick Keys
- Blue Rocks Beat Kinston 7-2 - Kinston Indians
- Late offense lifts Rocks to 7-2 victory - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Alvarez Walk-Off Blast Buries Winston-Salem - Winston-Salem Dash
- Hillcats game notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
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