
Miller's Big Night Leads Hillcats to Blowout of Salem on Friday
August 31, 2018 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Lynchburg Hillcats News Release
Salem, Va. - A night after being shut out, the Lynchburg Hillcats ripped 17 hits en route to a 8-0 win against the Salem Red Sox on Friday night.
Lynchburg (68-65, 39-27) improves to 5-0 at Haley Toyota Field against Salem (63-72, 30-36) this season, and the club could clinch a playoff spot as early as Saturday with their Magic Number now at two.
Anthony Miller led the way for Lynchburg on Friday. The first baseman went a career-high 5-for-5, with two home runs, a double and four RBI. Miller's five-hit mark ties Ernie Clement for the most hits in a ballgame by a Hillcats player this season.
The Hillcats started the scoring in the fourth inning. Nolan Jones singled with one out, and came in to score on a Trenton Brooks RBI double to break the scoreless tie. Miller then followed Brooks' double with a two-base hit of his own, driving in another run to give Lynchburg a 2-0 lead.
The visitors piled it on in the fifth. Jose Media led off the frame with a single, and Dillon Persinger doubled off the center field wall to put runners and second and third. The next hitter, Mitch Longo, ripped a two-run double to plate both Media and Persinger. Later in the inning, Brooks knocked an RBI single to score Longo, and Miller blasted a two-run home run, his first of two long balls on the night. Lynchburg batted around in the fifth inning and led 7-0 at the midway point.
With one out in the seventh, Miller crushed his second home run, and eighth of the year, a solo shot, to put the Hillcats ahead, 8-0.
Brooks finished by going 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI. All but one Hillcats starter had a hit, as the 17 hits were one shy of matching a season-high. It was Lynchburg's tenth shutout win of the year.
Justin Garza (Win, 5-6), fired five scoreless innings for Lynchburg. He allowed just one hit, striking out six, and retired the last 12 Red Sox hitters he faced. Ben Krauth came in and tossed 3.1 scoreless innings, striking out five. At one point, Garza and Krauth combined to retire 20 consecutive Salem hitters. Dalbert Siri stranded the bases loaded and picked up the final two outs of the ballgame.
Salem starter Jake Thompson (Loss, 5-13) surrendered seven earned runs on 11 hits in 4.2 innings.
The two teams will play a double-header on Saturday, with the first game beginning at 3:05 p.m. The second game will start no earlier than 6:05 p.m. Both games will be seven-inning contests. LHP Tanner Tully (5-11, 4.56) will start Game One for Lynchbutrg, while Right-hander Daniel Gonzalez (8-7, 4.40) starts the first game for Salem. Neither team has announced a Game Two starter.
Max Gun will get you set with pregame coverage beginning at 2:55 p.m. on TuneIn Radio and Radio434.
The Hillcats are in line to host post-season games against the Potomac Nationals on September 5 and 6 at City Stadium. Fans can purchase $2 tickets, and also receive $2 hot dogs and $2 beers at the game.
For tickets and more information visit lychburg-hillcats.com, the City Stadium box office, or call 434-528-1144.
Carolina League Stories from August 31, 2018
- Mudcats Lose Penultimate 2018 Home Game 14-1 to Buies Creek - Carolina Mudcats
- Winston Tops Down East 7-4 in Series Opener at Grainger Stadium - Winston-Salem Dash
- Leblanc's Big Night Not Enough in Defeat to the Dash - Down East Wood Ducks
- Miller's Big Night Leads Hillcats to Blowout of Salem on Friday - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Sox Hammered 8-0 by Hillcats Friday - Salem Red Sox
- Friday's Series Opener in Frederick Postponed - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Keys and Pelicans Rained Out - Frederick Keys
- Blue Rocks and Nationals Postponed - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- P-Nats and Blue Rocks Washed out Friday Night - Potomac Nationals
- Dalbec, Hernandez to Play in Arizona Fall League - Salem Red Sox
- August 31 - Carolina Mudcats Game Information - Carolina Mudcats
- Four 2018 Hillcats Named to Arizona Fall League Roster - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Winston-Salem Dash: Game Notes (august 31 At Down East) - Winston-Salem Dash
- Eight Current & Former P-Nats Scheduled to Play in the 2018 Arizona Fall League - Potomac Nationals
- Daniel Brown Among Several 2018 Mudcats Named to Play in Arizona Fall League - Carolina Mudcats
- Five 2018 Dash Stars to Play in Arizona Fall League - Winston-Salem Dash
- Myrtle Beach Pelicans: Game Notes, August 31 at Frederick - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Grainger Stadium Named Field of the Year for the Second Straight Season - Down East Wood Ducks
- Young Named CL Broadcaster of the Year - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
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.
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