CarL1 Lynchburg Hillcats

Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes

Published on May 9, 2014 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Lynchburg Hillcats News Release


LYNCHBURG HILLCATS (13-18) vs. WILMINGTON BLUE ROCKS (14-17)

May 9, 2014 --7:05 PM

Frawley Stadium

RHP Greg Ross (2-1, 2.59) vs. RHP Christian Binford (2-1, 1.91)

LAST TIME OUT:The Hillcats beat the Wilmington Blue Rocks last night 9-2 thanks to a seven-run rally top of the eighth inning...The 'Cats initially led 1-0 after 3B Kevin Ahrensdrove in a run with an infield single in the bottom of the first...They didn't score again until the sixth when an error allowed 2B Jose Perazato reach base and another let him score...Meanwhile, the Blue Rocks didn't score until the seventh...RHP Lay Batista(1-0) tossed six scoreless innings for the Hillcats giving up three hits, walking one, and striking out a season-best seven...RHP Alex Wilsonrelieved Batista in the seventh and gave up the first run to the Blue Rocks, a solo home run to RF Johermyn Chavez...The Hillcats responded by sending 12 batters to the plate and scoring seven runs in the eighth...DH Tyler Tewelldelivered the big hit in the inning, a three-run triple down the left field line...Wilson finished the ball game for Lynchburg, giving up one more run in the ninth and earned his second save of the season...The Hillcats are now 13-18 on the season, 5.5 games behind the Potomac Nationals for first place in the Northern Division...

VS. WILMINGTON:The Hillcats are 2-2 against the Blue Rocks this season after winning the series opener last night in Wilmington...The first time these two teams met was in Lynchburg April 15-17...The series opener was rained out and a doubleheader was split on April 16...That's the only doubleheader the Hillcats have played so far this season...The 'Cats then lost the finale...They never scored more than three runs in any of those games, but put up nine last night...

NEW RBI LEADER:C Tyler Tewellwent 1-for-5 last night with a three-RBI triple in the eighth inning...He now has 16 RBIs on the season, good for the most in the Hillcats' clubhouse...He surpassed 3B Kevin Ahrens(15) who has virtually led the team all season, batting in the clean-up spot...Tewell is batting .299 this season, 10th-best in the Carolina League...He has hits in four of his last five games, batting .389 (7-for-18) with seven RBIs, two doubles, a triple, and five runs scored...He has scored in each of his last five games...He was the designated hitter last night for the fifth time this season, and collected his first three RBIs in that role...He is batting just .200 as the DH, while he's hitting .328 in 18 games at catcher.. .

RALLY CATS:The Hillcats scored batted 12 and scored seven runs in the eighth inning last night, setting season-highs in both categories for a single inning this season...The most batters had been 10 back on April 9 at Potomac in the third inning...They scored five runs in the inning and won the game 9-1...The most runs in an inning also came in Potomac a day earlier on April 8 ...The Hillcats plated six runs in the second on their way to a 10-7 victory...Thanks to these big rallies on the road the Hillcats are averaging almost a run more per game on the road (5.15 R/G) versus at home (4.16)...

PLEASE MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME...ON THE ROAD:OF David Nickwent 3-for-4 last night with a triple and two runs scored...He went 0-for-4 in his debut with the Hillcats Wednesday night at home, but had his coming out party last night in Wilmington...Nick was signed by the Braves this week as a Minor League Free Agent...He was ready to start his first independent baseball season with the Southern Illinois Miners of the Frontier League when the Braves called...Originally drafted in the fourth round out of Cypress High School in California, Nick passed on a scholarship to UCLA to sign with the Diamondbacks...He played at the Double-A level in each of the last two seasons before receiving his release at the end of Spring Training in 2014...He was drafted as a second baseman, but made the transition to outfield last season...

AND RUNNIN' RUNNIN':The Hillcats have stolen 42 bases this season, good for the most in the Carolina League...The next closest team is Myrtle Beach with 37, while the fewest in the circuit belongs to Frederick (23)...Hillcats CF Kyle Wrencurrently leads the league with 16, while 2B Jose Perazaranks second with 15...

BATISTA'S FIRST WIN:RHP Lay Batistatossed six scoreless innings last night, allowing three hits, walking one, and struck out seven...He earned the win while turning in arguably the best start for a Hillcat this season...The seven strikeouts were a season high for him, and the most since he struck out seven on June 14 in 6.2 innings against the Tulsa Drillers in the Double-A Southern League...This is Batista's first season within the Braves organization...He was originally signed by the Los Angeles Angels out of the Dominican Republic in 2007...He earned his first promotion to Double-A in 2013 and went 5-8 with a 3.37 ERA in 22 starts...After signing with the Braves this past offseason, he started the year in Double-A Mississippi before joining the Hillcats last week...In two starts with Lynchburg he has allowed one run over nine innings...

LIKE A ROSS:RHP Greg Rosspitched 6.1 innings Sunday afternoon, a season-high for the right-hander...He allowed just one run collecting his third consecutive quality start...He also did not walk a batter for the third time in four starts...He would lead the Carolina League with a 0.39 BB-IBB / IP ratio (1BB/23.1IP) amongst starters, but is just an inning and two-thirds away from qualifying...Overall, in seven appearances Ross has walked only two in 31.1 innings...He ranks ninth in the Carolina League in ERA (2.59), and is second in WHIP ratio (0.86)...His .207 batting average against would rank fourth among Carolina League starters, but again he must qualify...Ross started the year in the bullpen but has taken over a starting role as RHP Mauricio Cabrerahas been placed on the disabled list and RHP Andrew Waszakwas sent down to Danville (rookie)...

TONIGHT'S OPPOSING PITCHER:RHP Christian Binfordwas selected in the 30th round of the 2011 draft by the Kansas City Royals out of Mercerburg Academy in Pennsylvania...He posted a 0.64 ERA over 55 innings as a senior in high school...Underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in 2009...Threw a no hitter in his first high school start as a freshman in 2008...The Hagerstown, Maryland native passed on the opportunity to play at the University of Virginia to sign with the Royals...He did not make his professional debut until 2012 with the Burlington Royals in the Rookie Appalachian League...Went 2-3 with a 2.03 ERA in eight starts, and struck out 31, while walking four over 40 innings...Saw a promotion to Low-A Lexington in the 2013...Went 8-7 with a 2.67 ERA over 23 starts, while striking out 130 and walking only 25 in 135 innings...He was named a mid-season All-Star in the South Atlantic League...Tonight will be his first start against the Hillcats...He is 2-1 with a 1.91 ERA through five starts this season...He ranks sixth in ERA and fifth in WHIP ratio (0.99)...Amongst starters he ranks fourth in average against (.213), third in SO/9IP ratio (10.80), fourth in BB-IBB/9IP ratio (1.59), and third in baserunners/9IP ratio (8.89)...

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Carolina League Stories from May 9, 2014


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