Hillcats edge Myrtle Beach
Published on June 27, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Hill City Howlers News Release
Lynchburg scored four unanswered runs to post a 6-3 comeback win over Myrtle Beach at City Stadium Saturday night. The Hillcats snapped their four-game losing streak and avoided being swept by the Pelicans in the three-game series. Lynchburg will travel to Salem and face the Red Sox Sunday at 6:07 p.m.
The Hillcats jumped out to an early lead with a run in the bottom of the second. Kris Watts drew a leadoff walk from Pelicans starter Erik Cordier and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Jamie Romak drove in Watts with a single that gave Lynchburg a 1-0 advantage.
Myrtle Beach responded with a pair of runs in the top of the third off Lynchburg starter Justin Wilson. Michael Fisher and Freddie Freeman reached on consecutive walks to start the frame. After Wilson struck out Jason Heyward, Donell Linares delivered an RBI single that plated Fisher. Jared Keel committed a fielding error on Linares' single, which enabled Freeman to reach third and Linares to advance to second. Cody Johnson followed with an RBI double that scored Freeman and gave the Pelicans a 2-1 edge.
The Cats answered with a run in the bottom of the third. Chase d'Arnaud hit a leadoff single and took second on a sacrifice bunt by Jose De Los Santos. After Cordier retired Mercer, Matt Hague drove in d'Arnaud with a single that evened the score at 2-2.
The game remained deadlocked at 2-2 until the top of the seventh. Lynchburg reliever Christian Castorri replaced Mike Colla - who pitched 3 and 1/3 scoreless innings in relief of Wilson - and gave up a single to Fisher and a walk to Freeman. Heyward singled up the middle to drive in Fisher and put Myrtle Beach in front 3-2.
Lynchburg responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame off Michael Broadway, who replaced Cordier. Broadway retired the first two Hillcat hitters before issuing a walk to De Los Santos, who swiped second base for his 30th steal in 34 attempts.
Mercer followed with a single and De Los Santos raced home to tie the game at 3-3. With Hague at the plate, Mercer stole second. Moments later, Mercer scored the go-ahead run on Hague's RBI single and Lynchburg reclaimed the lead.
The Hillcats tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth when d'Arnaud laced a two-out, two-run triple into the right-field corner to make it a 6-3 Lynchburg lead.
R. J. Rodriguez worked a perfect ninth to earn his league-leading 14th save of the season. Castorri (2-1) earned the win for Lynchburg and Cats reliever Chris Cullen picked up his team-leading eighth hold with a scoreless 8th inning. Broadway (0-7) took the loss for Myrtle Beach.
The Hillcats take on Salem in the opener of a two-game series at Lewis-Gale Field on Sunday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:07 p.m.
Tune in to FM 105.5 KD Country, 96.9 FM Roanoke or online at www.kdcountry.com for all the live action beginning at 5:40 p.m. Sunday.
Carolina League Stories from June 27, 2009
- Kinston Falls in 14 innings - Kinston Indians
- Hillcats edge Myrtle Beach - Hill City Howlers
- Sox Outlast Tribe, Win 3-2 in 14 Innings to Sweep Series - Salem RidgeYaks
- Rocks Drop Rubber Match to Potomac - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Pelicans couldn't hold either lead as they fall trying for their fourth straight win - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Adams' Two-Run Double in Eighth Pushes Frederick Past Winston-Salem - Frederick Keys
- P-Nats Steal Series from Blue Crew - Potomac Nationals
- Keys Unlock Late Tie, Defeat Dash in Series Finale - Winston-Salem Dash
- Pelicans Game Notes for June 27 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Nationals Game Notes for June 27 - Potomac Nationals
- Hillcats Game Notes for June 27 - Hill City Howlers
- Red Sox Game Notes for June 27 - Salem RidgeYaks
- Indians Game Notes for June 27 - Kinston Indians
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