Comeback Cats Dispatch Dash
May 14, 2009 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Lynchburg Hillcats News Release
The Hillcats rallied from a five-run deficit to defeat Winston-Salem 6-5 in 10 innings and claim a series victory over the Dash at Wake Forest Baseball Park on Thursday afternoon. Lynchburg completed its largest comeback of the season and captured its 14th come-from-behind win.
Kent Gerst made his Advanced-A debut a memorable one. The 21-year-old outfielder, who was just promoted from Low-A Kannapolis, belted a solo home run, his first homer of the season, in the bottom of the third to put Winston-Salem in front 1-0.
The Dash broke the game open with a four-run fourth inning. Jim Gallagher led off the inning with a double off Lynchburg starter Ronald Uviedo. Gallagher advanced to third when Salvador Sanchez reached on a fielder's choice. After Uviedo retired Brent Morel, Christian Marrero delivered an RBI single that scored Gallagher and allowed Sanchez to reach third base. Logan Johnson drove in Sanchez with a sacrifice fly. Kyle Shelton ripped an RBI double that plated Marrero and Gerst drove in Shelton with an RBI single, which gave the Dash a 5-0 advantage.
The Hillcats pushed a run across in the top of the eighth. Maiko Loyola scored when Jordy Mercer drew a bases-loaded walk from Winston-Salem reliever Hector Santiago to make it 5-1.
Lynchburg refused to succumb despite the specter of a four- run deficit in the top of the ninth. The Hillcats rallied to tie the game at 5-5. After Miles Durham walked to lead off the frame, Alex Presley singled to give the Cats runners on the corners with no outs. Jared Keel followed with a two-run double to cut the lead to 5-3. Loyola followed with a game-tying two-run homer off Winston-Salem reliever Santo Luis, who had replaced Kevin Asselin after Keel's double.
Matt Hague smacked a solo home run with one out in the top of the 10th to give Lynchburg a 6-5 lead. Hillcats reliever Michael Dubee tossed a scoreless inning against his former team in the bottom of the tenth to pick up his second save. R. J. Rodriguez (3-0) earned the win for Lynchburg. Richard Brooks (0-1) took the loss for Winston-Salem.
With the win, the Hillcats improve to 21-12 and remain in first place in the Carolina League's Northern Division.
The Hillcats return home for a brief three-game weekend homestand against the Wilmington Blue Rocks, beginning with a 6:05 p.m. start on Friday night at City Stadium. Post-game fireworks presented by Dickey's Barbecue Pit will follow Friday's game. Tune in to FM 105.5 KD Country for all the live action beginning at 5:40 p.m.
Carolina League Stories from May 14, 2009
- Second Straight One-Run Win Finishes Homestand in Style - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Negron Blast Propels Sox Over Nats 7-6 - Salem Red Sox
- Meyers Stumbles as Nats Drop Finale with Sox - Potomac Nationals
- Blue Rocks Beat Kinston 3-2 - Kinston Indians
- Pelicans Drop Another Close One - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Florimon's 11th Inning Homer Beats Myrtle Beach - Frederick Keys
- Comeback Cats Dispatch Dash - Lynchburg Hillcats
- The K-Tribe Starts a Seven Game Homestand This Friday! - Kinston Indians
- Dash Waste Late Lead, Fall to Hillcats in Extras - Winston-Salem Dash
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
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