Lynchburg tops Kinston in pitchers' duel
August 3, 2009 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Lynchburg Hillcats News Release
Lynchburg broke a scoreless tie with two runs in the top of the ninth inning and posted a 2-0 victory over Kinston at Grainger Stadium Monday night. The Hillcats will go for their fifth straight victory when they face Kinston at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Lynchburg's Rudy Owens and Kinston's Scott Barnes squared off in a battle of heralded starting pitchers who had recently joined their teams. Owens made his Advanced-A debut with the Hillcats after being promoted from Low-A West Virginia, where had posted a 10-1 record and 1.70 ERA in 19 starts. Barnes made his second start with Kinston after being acquired by the Cleveland Indians in a trade with San Francisco on July 28.
Both pitchers showcased their considerable skills in the contest. Owens allowed three hits and one walk while recording four strikeouts in 4 1/3 scoreless innings against the K-Tribe. Barnes countered with 4 2/3 scoreless innings in which he surrendered four hits while walking two and striking out three.
The Hillcats wasted two early scoring opportunities. Josh Harrison roped a leadoff double in the top of the fourth. After Barnes struck out Jordy Mercer and Matt Hague, Kent Sakamoto drew a walk and Harrison stole third base. Jared Keel reached on a walk to load the bases, but Barnes retired Erik Huber on a fly out to end the frame.
Barnes retired the first two batters in the top of the fifth before allowing a single to Chase d'Arnaud, who stole second base. Harrison followed with a single that enabled d'Arnaud to reach third base. After Barnes was lifted for reliever Mike McGuire, Mercer drew a walk. But the Cats left the bases loaded when McGuire struck out Hague.
Lynchburg finally broke the stalemate in the top of the ninth. Jose De Los Santos drew a one-out walk from Kinston reliever Dallas Cawiezell and advanced to second when d'Arnaud reached on an error by K-Tribe shortstop Ron Rivas. Harrison grounded into a force out that erased d'Arnaud at second and enabled De Los Santos to take third. Mercer drove in De Los Santos with and RBI single and Hague followed with a single that plated Harrison, giving the Cats a 2-0 edge.
R. J. Rodriguez tossed a scoreless frame in the bottom of the ninth to earn his Carolina League-leading 22nd save.
Ramon Aguero (1-0) pitched three innings of scoreless relief to pick up the win for Lynchburg. Cawiezell (1-4) took the loss for Kinston.
Lynchburg has won four straight games, its longest winning streak of the second half. The Cats will meet Kinston in the second game of the three-game series on Tuesday night at Grainger Stadium. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
Carolina League Stories from August 3, 2009
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- Lynchburg tops Kinston in pitchers' duel - Lynchburg Hillcats
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- Hee belts two-run dinger as Sox snap eight-game skid - Salem Red Sox
- Lynchburg scores late to beat K-Tribe, 2-0 - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Blue Rocks slug 5 homers in 9th straight win - Wilmington Blue Rocks
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- Salem Sox Return Home Tonight for 3 Games Against Myrtle Beach - Salem Red Sox
- Nationals Game Notes August 3rd - Potomac Nationals
- Hillcats Game Notes August 3rd - Lynchburg Hillcats
- K-Tribe Game Notes August 3rd - Kinston Indians
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