Cats Top Salem In Mills Cup Opener
Published on September 14, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Lynchburg Hillcats News Release
Jose De Los Santos, Chase d'Arnaud and Matt Hague combined to drive in seven runs as Lynchburg posted a 9-2 victory over Salem in game one of the 2009 Mills Cup Championship Series at City Stadium Monday. With the win, the Hillcats took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series. Game two will take place at Calvin Falwell Field on Tuesday at 6:05 p.m.
Salem (3-1) struck first with a run in the second off Cats starter Justin Wilson. Mike Jones reached on an error by Lynchburg third baseman Josh Harrison. Jones advanced to second on a groundout by Tim Federowicz and took third on a single from Chih-Hsien Chiang. Zach Borowiak knocked in Jones with a sacrifice fly, which gave the Red Sox a 1-0 advantage.
The Red Sox added a run in the third when Brad Correll delivered an RBI groundout that plated Jon Hee.
Lynchburg (4-2) responded with three runs in the bottom of the frame. Hague drew a leadoff walk from Salem starter Eammon Portice. Alex Presley followed with a single to left field that was misplayed by Chiang, which enabled Hague to take third and Presley to reach second. Following a walk to De Los Santos, d'Arnaud ripped a two-run double that scored Hague and Presley. De Los Santos scored later in the inning on a sacrifice fly from Jordy Mercer, which put the Cats in front 3-2.
The Cats received some outstanding pitching throughout the contest. With Lynchburg clinging to a 3-2 lead, the Red Sox had runners at the corners with two outs in the top of the sixth. Chris Cullen came on in relief of Wilson and induced Chiang to hit into a 3-1 groundout, to preserve the Lynchburg lead.
Lynchburg picked up two insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh. Hague belted a one-out solo home run off Red Sox reliever Jason Rice. Presley followed with a single and he scored later in the inning when d'Arnaud hit an RBI single off Kyle Fernandes, who had replaced Rice.
The Cats tacked on four more runs in the bottom of the eighth, as Tony Sanchez hit an RBI double and De Los Santos delivered a two-run triple, which capped his 3-for-3 night at the plate and gave Lynchburg a 9-2 lead.
Wilson (1-1) allowed five hits and two runs - only one of which was earned - in 5 2/3 innings of work to earn the win. Portice (0-1) was charged with the loss after giving up four hits and three earned runs in six innings pitched. Cullen, Harrison Bishop and Ramon Aguero combined to toss 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief for Lynchburg. Cullen and Bishop were credited with holds and Aguero picked up his first save of the post-season with two scoreless frames.
The Hillcats will seek their second win in the best-of-five series in game two on Tuesday night. Lynchburg is expected to start LHP Rudy Owens (1-0, 0.00 ERA). Salem is expected to counter with RHP Stephen Fife, who has not pitched in the 2009 Carolina League playoffs. Fife went 3-2 with a 4.44 ERA in 10 starts in the regular season. Game time is set for 6:05 p.m. Tuesday 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 5:40 p.m. Tuesday.
Carolina League Stories from September 14, 2009
- Hillcats Humble Red Sox 9-2, Swipe Game One of Mills Cup Final - Salem RidgeYaks
- Cats Top Salem In Mills Cup Opener - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Lynchburg Hillcats Mills Cup Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
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