Franco Homers in 8-2 Loss in Lynchburg
April 28, 2015 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Carolina Mudcats News Release
LYNCHBURG, VA - Lucas Sims allowed five earned runs on five hits over two and 2/3 innings and the Mudcats lost their third straight game, 8-2 in game one of a three game series in Lynchburg to the Hillcats on Tuesday night. Carlos Franco was 2-for-3 with a home run in the loss.
Adam Plutko (1-1, 1.14) earned the victory for the Hillcats (9-10) after keeping the Mudcats (7-10) scoreless through six full innings. He left the game after the sixth with six strikeouts and just one walk.
Sims (1-3, 8.59) allowed five runs and five hits over two and 2/3 innings and suffered his third straight loss. He also walked four, struck out three and gave up one home run in the loss.
Ivan Castillo led off the Lynchburg first with a hit and later scored on a RBI double by Brady Zimmer. Sims later allowed Zimmer to score on a single to left from Nellie Rodriguez and the Hillcats took a 2-0 lead.
The Hillcats were retired in order in the second, but then scored three more runs against Sims in the third. Luis Rodriguez drove in all three runs with a three-run home run to give the Hillcats a 5-0 lead. Sims stayed in for one more batter, but would leave after immediately walking Joe Sever following the Rodriguez home run.
Andy Otero finished the third and finished the inning with a quick fly out and remained in the game for the fourth. He allowed a run and two hits in the fourth inning, but got out of a bases loaded jam to end the it. Otero pitched an inning and 1/3, walked two, struck out one and allowed two hits.
Britt Robertshaw pitched a scoreless sixth for the Mudcats. He also worked the seventh and allowed a two-run home run to Nellie Rodriguez. Robertshaw allowed two runs on one hit over two full innings.
Blair Walters worked the final two innings and kept the Hillcats without a run. Walters struck out three and gave up two hits in his two innings.
The Mudcats trailed 8-0 after six, but would finally get on the board in the seventh when Franco blasted his home run to left-center. The home run was his second this season and was hit off reliever Justin Brantley.
Brantley allowed just one hit and two runs over two innings. He also walked two and struck out three. Robbie Aviles finished the game for the Hillcats. The right-hander worked a scoreless ninth and retired the side in order to finish the game.
The series continues on Wednesday night with game two featuring Andrew Thurman (1-2, 4.50) starting for Carolina and Mitch Brown (1-1, 3.45) going for Lynchburg. The first pitch from Calvin Falwell Field is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
All games air on the Mudcats Radio Network, The Big Dawg 98.5 FM, Rock City 99.3 and Sports 1490 AM. Games are also streamed online at www.carolinamudcats.com via TuneIn Radio and the TuneIn Radio app. TuneIn Radio is the official digital audio partner of MiLB.com.
Individual tickets are now available online at www.caronlinamudcats.com, by calling (919) 269-2287 and by visiting the Five County Stadium box office.
Premium Field Level seats are $12.00, Box Seats are $10.00 and Cattail Skybox Seats are $15.00. Full season ticket packages, half season ticket packages, group tickets and the "Muddy Unreal Deal" plan are also currently available for purchase.
The Carolina Mudcats are the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. The 2015 "Braves New World" season is the first for the Mudcats as an affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and their fourth straight in the historic Carolina League. First established in 1991, the Carolina Mudcats are entering their 25th straight season of baseball at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C. Fans can purchase tickets or find more information by calling (919) 269-2287 or by visiting www.carolinamudcats.com.
Carolina League Stories from April 28, 2015
- Ramon Torres' Late-Inning Heroics Break Pelicans' Hearts - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Torres, Evans Key Offense In 3-2 Walk-Off Win Over Myrtle Beach - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Hillcats Take Series Opener over Mudcats - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Bullpen Carries Winston-Salem to Fourth Straight Win - Winston-Salem Dash
- Franco Homers in 8-2 Loss in Lynchburg - Carolina Mudcats
- Red Sox Strike Early, Knock off Keys, 4-3 - Salem Red Sox
- Keys Fall Short in 4-3 Setback at Salem - Frederick Keys
- Jacob Hannemann Called up to Double-A - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Winston-Salem Dash: Game Notes (April 28 vs. Potomac) - Winston-Salem Dash
- Hillcats Game Notes April 28, 2015, 6:30 p.m. vs. Carolina - Lynchburg Hillcats
- P-Nats Drop Finale at the Pfitz to Lynchburg - Potomac Nationals
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