Cats Swept in Double-Header
Published on June 7, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Hill City Howlers News Release
Wilmington swept a doubleheader against Lynchburg on Sunday afternoon at Frawley stadium. The Blue Rocks took three out of four games from the Hillcats in the weekend series. Lynchburg begins a three-game homestand against Frederick on Tuesday night at City Stadium. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. Tuesday.
The Blue Rocks defeated Lynchburg 4-1 in the first game of the doubleheader, spoiling the season debut of Hillcats starter Bryan Morris, the No. 5 prospect in the Pittsburgh farm system according to Baseball America. Morris missed the first two months of the season due to injury.
The Hillcats struck first when Jordy Mercer belted a solo home run leading off the top of the fourth inning.
After Morris set the Blue Rocks down in order in the bottom of the frame, Wilmington responded with four runs in the fifth. Morris surrendered consecutive singles to Clint Robinson and Jamar Walton to start the inning, Ryan Eigsti's bunt attempt resulted in a 2-5 force out at third base, which eliminated Robinson. Adrian Ortiz followed with an RBI single that scored Walton and evened the score at 1-1.
Moments later, Derrick Robinson laced a two-run double to left field, which plated Eigsti and Ortiz. After Robinson stole third base, Johnny Giavotella ripped an RBI single to put Wilmington up 4-1. Mike Colla replaced Morris and retired the next two batters to end the inning without any further damage.
Lynchburg threatened in the top of the seventh. After Blue Rocks starter Eduardo Paulino struck out Pedro Alvarez to begin the inning, Matt Hague and Miles Durham hit back-to-back singles, giving the Hillcats runners at first and second with one out. Ben Swaggerty entered the game in relief of Paulino and struck out Kris Watts and Ray Chang to preserve the Wilmington victory.
Paulino (2-3) earned the win for Wilmington and Swaggerty picked up his second save. Morris (0-1) took the loss for Lynchburg.
The second game of the doubleheader turned into a pitchers' duel, which Wilmington ultimately won 2-0.
Paul Mildren turned in another outstanding start for the Hillcats, limiting Wilmington to two hits and no runs in five innings of work. Mildren received a no-decision for his effort.
Blue Rocks starter Rowdy Hardy was just as effective, allowing six hits in five scoreless innings.
Lynchburg wasted two scoring opportunities against Hardy. Hague singled leading off the second inning and was forced out at second when Durham reached on a 5-4 fielder's choice. Hardy hit Jared Keel with a pitch, putting runners at first and second with one out. But Hardy recovered by retiring Kent Sakamoto and Alex Presley to end the inning.
With the game still scoreless in the top of the fourth, Alvarez hit a leadoff single. After Hardy struck out Hague and Durham, Keel walked and Sakamoto singled to load the bases. Hardy worked out of the jam by inducing Presley to ground into a force out that erased Sakamoto at second and ended the frame.
Wilmington seized the lead in the bottom of the sixth. Anthony Seratelli ripped a leadoff double off Hillcats reliever Harrison Bishop. After Bishop caught Derrick Robinson's bunt attempt, Giavotella delivered an RBI triple that scored Seratelli. Mike Moustakas drove in Giavotella with a single to give Wilmington a 2-0 lead.
Juan Abreu worked a scoreless seventh to seal the Wilmington victory. Chris Chavez (5-1) earned the win in relief of Hardy and Abreu was credited with his fourth save. Bishop (0-2) took the loss for Lynchburg.
The Hillcats dropped to 36-20 with the losses. Lynchburg remains in first place in the Carolina League's Northern Division, four games in front of second-place Potomac, which split a doubleheader with Myrtle Beach Sunday. Wilmington improved to 30-26 and resides in third place in the division, six games behind Lynchburg.
Lynchburg returns to action in a three-game homestand against Frederick, with game one scheduled for a 7:05 p.m. start Tuesday.
Carolina League Stories from June 7, 2009
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- Blue Rock Takes Two from Lynchburg - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Nats and Pelicans Play to Split of Double-Header - Potomac Nationals
- Cats Swept in Double-Header - Hill City Howlers
- Jason Heyward and Cody Johnson Voted into the '09 All-Star Game - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Pelicans and P-Nats Split Double-Header - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Lynchburg Sends Trio to All-Star Game - Hill City Howlers
- Four Rocks Named All-Stars - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Chisenhall, Phelps and Berger are All-Stars - Kinston Indians
- Loop to Represent Sox in High-A Midsummer Classic - Salem RidgeYaks
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