Cats Contribute in All-Star Game Setback
Published on June 24, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Hill City Howlers News Release
Pitching ruled the day at the California League-Carolina League All-Star game as the California League All-Stars claimed a 2-1 victory in 10 innings at Lake Elsinore, Calif. Tuesday night. Miles Durham, Kris Watts and R. J. Rodriguez, the three Lynchburg players on the Carolina League squad, all saw action in the contest.
Durham and Watts started for the Carolina League All-Stars. In his final game at the Advanced-A level, Durham, who has been promoted to Double-A Altoona, started in left field and went hitless in four at-bats with two strikeouts.
Watts started at catcher in his first all-star appearance in professional baseball. The Lynchburg backstop went 0-for-2 and handled the catching duties for the first four innings before being replaced by Frederick's Caleb Joseph in the fifth inning.
Rodriguez, who pitched for Lake Elsinore in 2008, entered the game in the bottom of the eighth inning. With the score tied at 1-1, Rodriguez retired High Desert shortstop Juan Diaz before allowing a double to Matt Lawson of the Bakersfield Blaze. After uncorking a wild pitch, which enabled Lawson to advance to third base, Rodriguez struck out Inland Empire outfielder Trayvon Robinson.
Carolina League manager Rocket Wheeler elected to bring in Salem's Derrick Loop to replace Rodriguez. Loop struck out San Jose's Roger Kieschnick to end the inning and Rodriguez finished with no runs allowed in two-thirds of an inning of work to go along with one hit and one strikeout.
The game remained tied until the bottom of the 10th when Jon Gaston of the Lancaster Jethawks belted a walk-off home run off Loop on the first pitch of the inning, giving the California League All-Stars a 2-1 win. Gaston was named the game's Most Valuable Player for his game-winning blast. Visalia's Patrick McAnaney earned the win for the California League while Loop was charged with the loss.
The Hillcats return to action on Thursday night against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in the opener of a three-game homestand. First pitch for Thursday's game is slated for 7:05 p.m. at City Stadium. Thursday's game marks the return of Thursday Cheers, where fans can purchase $1 drinks and listen to live music on the concourse at City Stadium before the game.
Tune in to FM 105.5 KD Country, 96.9 FM Roanoke or online at www.kdcountry.com for all the live action beginning at 6:40 p.m. Thursday.
Carolina League Stories from June 24, 2009
- Keys Welcome Six Millionth Fan - Frederick Keys
- Keys Welcome Six Millionth Fan - Frederick Keys
- Dash Continue Partnership with WSPD and Drug-Free NC on Sunday, June 28 - Winston-Salem Dash
- Cats Contribute in All-Star Game Setback - Hill City Howlers
- Levi Maxwell Named Carolina League Pitcher of the Week - Winston-Salem Dash
- K-Tribe Trio Shines, but Carolina League Falls in Extras - Kinston Indians
- Rocks Play Well, But Carolina League All-Stars Fall - Wilmington Blue Rocks
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