'Cats Rally from Eight Down But Fall in Ninth
July 9, 2016 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Lynchburg Hillcats News Release
SUMMARY
Lynchburg lost to Salem in an offensive shootout at City Stadium on Saturday, 12-11. The team's combined to put up 25 hits, 14 of which were doubles, and 21 RBIs. Eight pitchers appeared in the game, which was decided in the ninth inning after the Hillcats erased a one-time eight-run deficit by tying the game with a five-run eighth.
BIG INNINGS LEAD TO BIG COMEBACK
Lynchburg and Salem combined for eight runs in the first three innings, which left Salem with a 5-3 lead. Salem tacked on two more runs in the fourth before they exploded for four runs in the sixth. Trailing 11-3, Lynchburg began to mount its comeback in the bottom half of the sixth.
Anthony Santander led the inning off with a double and was followed by two walks to Bobby Bradley and Luigi Rodriguez. Mark Mathias proceeded to hit his second double of the game and drive in two runs. Paul Hendrix hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Rodriguez and make the count 11-6.
The first five batters of the eighth inning for the Hillcats eventually came in to score to tie the game at 11-all. Two walks and a fielding error loaded the bases for Mathias. He singled and drove in both Bradley and Rodriguez. Hendrix followed the hit up with a two-RBI double to make the score 11-10 in favor of the Red Sox. Greg Allen singled with the infield in to drive in Hendrix and tie the game up. Jose Sermo led the ninth inning off with a double and scored the eventual winning run after a single from Joseph Monge.
TOUGH DAY AT THE OFFICE
Anderson Polanco started the game for the Hillcats but was removed in the fourth after allowing seven runs and 11 hits. Justin Garcia came in relief and struck out a batter in his 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Dominic DeMasi pitched in the sixth inning and allowed four runs on four hits to go along with a walk. Billy Strode made his second appearance as a Hillcat and threw two perfect innings with two strikeouts. He has retired all 11 batters he has faced at the Advanced-A affiliate.
Trevor Frank (1-1) took the loss after allowing two hits and the game winning run. Simon Mercedes (1-1) earned the win for Salem after entering the game in the eighth and allowing four earned runs.
SHORT HOPS
The Hillcats allowed a season-high 18 hits Saturday night... The team is 13-19 in games that they are outhit in...Greg Allen extended his team-best on-base streak to 27 straight games... Billy Strode has pitched 3 2/3 innings in Lynchburg now and has not allowed a single baserunner...Mark Mathias tied season highs with both three hits and four RBIs...Bobby Bradley, Luigi Rodriguez and Mathias each scored two runs in the contest.
ON DECK
Lynchburg and Salem will travel to Salem for the third game of the four-game series Sunday at 4:05 p.m. Luis Lugo (4-3, 4.18) will be the starting pitcher for the 'Cats. Fans can listen to the action on 93.3 FM and 1320 AM as well as www.lynchburg-hillcats.com, beginning with the Hillcats On-Deck Show at 3:45 p.m.
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