De La Cruz Gem Spoiled By Lynchburg Rally In The 9th
May 5, 2010 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Kinston Indians News Release
Kinston starter Kelvin De La Cruz was outstanding for eight innings, but a ninth inning rally by Lynchburg led to a 3-2 walk-off win for the Hillcats on an RBI single by Alex Buchholz. It was the second straight game in which the Hillcats have beaten Kinston on a ninth inning walk-off.
The K-Tribe started the scoring with a two-out rally in the second inning. Kyle Bellows drilled a double to left-center field and was singled home by Cristo Arnal to give the Indians a 1-0 lead. Kinston would come back for more in the fifth off starter Matt Fairel, as Ronald Rivas hit a leadoff double and came home on a fielder's choice grounder by Donnie Webb to make it 2-0.
De La Cruz stymied Hillcats hitters for most of the night, retiring 20 batters in a row after Cody Puckett's one-out double in the first. He had allowed no runs on two hits and eight strikeouts entering the ninth, and came out to attempt the first complete game shutout by an Indians pitcher since Keith Ramsey's perfect game in September 2004. However, a leadoff fly ball to center by Miguel Rojas was misplayed by K-Tribe centerfielder Donnie Webb, resulting in a two-base error. On the next pitch, Justin Reed clobbered a two-run homer to right field, breaking up the shutout and tying the game at 2-2.
After recording the first out of the inning, De La Cruz was relieved by David Roberts. Roberts allowed a walk and a single before getting a groundout. After intentionally walking Devin Mesoraco to load the bases, Roberts was behind in the count 3-0 to Alex Buchholz. Roberts came back to make it a 3-2 count, but Buchholz served the 3-2 pitch into centerfield for the walk-off single to score Cody Puckett. This was the second straight game in which Kinston lost on a walk-off, after Neftali Soto's two-run homer won it in the ninth on Tuesday night. The Indians have now lost four games this season on walk-offs and have lost five games in a row overall.
Roberts (0-1) took the loss for Kinston, while Lance Janke (1-3) earned the win for Lynchburg, allowing no runs or hits in three innings of work in relief.
The series concludes on Thursday night with a 6:05 pm start. Lefty Nick Hagadone will start for the K-Tribe.
• Discuss this story on the Carolina League message board...
Carolina League Stories from May 5, 2010
- Wilmington Wiped Out by 10-Run 2nd Inning - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Salem Explodes Early, Demolishes Wilmington 11-3 - Salem Red Sox
- Keys Blanked by Dash, 3-0 - Frederick Keys
- Frias Dazzles in 8-0 P-Nats Win Wednesday - Potomac Nationals
- Frias, P-Nats 'Pen Blank Pelicans - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Dash Snap Skid as Edwards Stifles Frederick - Winston-Salem Dash
- De La Cruz Gem Spoiled By Lynchburg Rally In The 9th - Kinston Indians
- Cats Comeback To Win After Three-Run Ninth - Lynchburg Hillcats
- K-Tribe Notes For Wednesday At Lynchburg - Kinston Indians
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Pelicans Announce Transactions - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Tribe Talk is On The Air and On-Line - Kinston Indians
- Rubber Ducky's And A Free Night For Bob's - Frederick Keys
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
