Cats Beat Salem
September 6, 2009 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Lynchburg Hillcats News Release
Lynchburg pitchers Jeff Locke and Ronald Uviedo combined to shut out Salem as the Hillcats claimed a 1-0 victory at City Stadium on Sunday night. Lynchburg's win coupled with Kinston's 9-3 victory over Potomac prevented the Red Sox from clinching the final spot in the Carolina League playoffs. The Hillcats will face Salem at 2:05 p.m. Monday.
The Cats (28-41, 73-65) seized the lead with a run in the bottom of the first. Chase d'Arnaud hit a leadoff double off Red Sox starter Eammon Portice. A passed ball by Salem catcher Danny Butler enabled d'Arnaud to advance to third. Jordy Mercer drove in d'Arnaud with a sacrifice fly to give Lynchburg a 1-0 advantage.
Lynchburg's first-inning run was all the offense necessary for the Cats as Locke turned in a masterful performance on the mound. Locke retired the first six batters he faced before yielding a leadoff double to Zach Borowiak in the top of the third. Undaunted by Borowiak's two-bagger, Locke set down the next three Salem batters to end the inning.
Locke did not allow a run in 6 2/3 innings of work, tossed three 1-2-3 innings and struck out six Salem batters. Portice also shined on the mound. The Salem right-hander allowed just one unearned run in six innings pitched and recorded six strikeouts.
Ronald Uviedo came on in relief of Locke with Salem's Tim Federowicz at second base and two outs in the bottom of the seventh. Uviedo induced a pop-up from David Mailman to second baseman Josh Harrison, which ended the Salem threat.
Uviedo retired all seven batters he faced to preserve the victory. Locke (5-8) earned the win for Lynchburg and Portice (8-8) took the loss for Salem. Uviedo picked up his third save with 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.
With the loss and Kinston's win over Potomac, Salem (34-35, 66-72) saw its lead for the final playoff spot in the Southern Division shrink to just one game. The Red Sox will attempt to clinch a postseason berth on the final day of the 2009 regular season in a matinee contest against Lynchburg. The Hillcats are expected to send RHP Matt McSwain (11-8, 3.48 ERA) to the mound. Salem is expected to start RHP Stephen Fife (3-2, 4.53 ERA) Game time is set for 2:05 p.m. Monday at City Stadium.
Tune in to FM 105.5 KD Country, 96.9 FM Roanoke or online at www.kdcountry.com or www.lynchburg-hillcats.com for all the live action beginning at 1:40 p.m. Monday.
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Scott Blusiewicz
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Carolina League Stories from September 6, 2009
- Pelicans Fend Off Late Charge to Defeat Dash - Winston-Salem Dash
- Cats Beat Salem - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Winston-Salem Charges Late, but Myrtle Beach Hangs on - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Magic Number Remains One Heading Into Final Regular Season Game - Salem Red Sox
- K-Tribe Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive With a 9-3 Win at Potomac - Kinston Indians
- Van Stratten Vexes Keys In Victory - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Four Of A Kind: Ball Garners League Honor Again - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- K-Tribe's Stephen Watson is the Carolina League Sports Turf Manager of the Year - Kinston Indians
- Two-Out Rally Takes Down P-Nats - Potomac Nationals
- Early Rally Overwhelms Frederick - Frederick Keys
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
- K-Tribe Game Notes for September 6 - Kinston Indians
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