Offensive Outburst Lifts Cats Past P-Nats
September 3, 2009 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Lynchburg Hillcats News Release
Lynchburg's offense erupted for a total of seven runs in the span of two innings as the Hillcats overwhelmed Potomac 11-6 at Pfitzner Stadium Thursday night. With the win, the Hillcats claimed a series victory over the P-Nats in the three-game set. Lynchburg will take on Salem at Salem Memorial Ballpark at 7:05 p.m. Friday.
As a result of Lynchburg's win, Wilmington's magic number has been reduced to one and Potomac's slim playoff hopes are now in jeopardy.
Potomac (39-27, 76-57) grabbed the early lead by scoring twice in the bottom of the first. Michael Martinez belted a leadoff home run off Cats starter Rudy Owens to start the inning. Martinez' blast was the first home run allowed by Owens since his promotion to Lynchburg on August 3. He did not give up any homers in his first five starts with the Hillcats.
Moments later, Jesus Valdez smacked a one-out solo home run over the left-field fence to give the P-Nats a 2-0 edge.
Lynchburg (27-39, 72-63) immediately answered with a pair of runs in the top of the second. After issuing a leadoff walk to Kris Watts, Potomac starter Trevor Holder retired the next two Hillcat hitters. But Alex Presley drove in Watts with his Carolina League-leading 10th triple. Jose De Los Santos followed with an RBI single that scored Presley and evened the score at 2-2.
Potomac reclaimed the lead when Brian Peacock blasted a solo home run off Owens to lead off the bottom of the second.
The Cats snatched the lead back with two runs in the third. Chase d'Arnaud reached on a hit by pitch and stole second base. After Josh Harrison struck out, d'Arnaud advanced to third on a groundout by Jordy Mercer. Jamie Romak reached on a throwing error by Espinosa, which enabled d'Arnaud to score. Watts knocked in Romak with an RBI single, which gave Lynchburg a 4-3 advantage.
Lynchburg broke the game open in the fifth with five runs on six hits, highlighted by two home runs. Watts smacked a two-run homer that chased Holder from the contest and Kent Sakamoto added a solo shot off Potomac reliever Patrick McCoy. Sakamoto's blast put the Cats in front 9-3 and ended the scoring in the frame.
The P-Nats responded with three runs off Cats reliever Chris Cullen in the bottom of the fifth. With a runner at second and two outs, Devin Ivany delivered an RBI single. Peacock followed with a single to put P-Nats on the corners. After Peacock swiped second base, Tim Pahuta hit a two-run single that reduced Lynchburg's lead to 9-6.
But the Cats tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the top of the sixth and regained control of the ballgame. d'Arnaud and Harrison hit consecutive singles to start the frame. McCoy delivered a wild pitch to Mercer, which enabled the runners to advance ninety feet. Mercer drove in d'Arnaud with a sacrifice fly and Harrison scored later in the inning on a botched pickoff attempt.
Mike Colla and Ronald Uviedo combined to toss three scoreless innings and seal the victory for Lynchburg. Colla (6-2) worked two scoreless frames to earn the win. Holder (2-3) was charged with the loss after allowing seven hits and eight runs, six of which were earned, in 4 1/3 innings of work.
Lynchburg will travel to Salem for a two-game series with the Red Sox, which begins Friday at Salem Memorial Ballpark. The Cats will send RHP Bryan Morris (4-8, 5.73 ERA) to the mound. Salem is expected to start RHP Kyle Weiland (6-9, 3.51 ERA). Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. Friday.
Tune in to FM 105.5 KD Country, 96.9 FM Roanoke or online at www.kdcountry.com or www.lynchburg-hillcats.com for all the live action beginning at 6:40 p.m. Friday.
Carolina League Stories from September 3, 2009
- Federowicz Blast Ties It, But Salem Falls In 11 - Salem Red Sox
- Curtis Walk-Off Blast in 11th Puts Dash Back in First Place - Winston-Salem Dash
- Offensive Outburst Lifts Cats Past P-Nats - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Crooked Numbers Doom Nats in Loss to Cats - Potomac Nationals
- Kinston Falls Short, But Stays Tied for Final Playoff Spot - Kinston Indians
- Frederick Closes Out Home Schedule on Winning Note - Frederick Keys
- Top-10 Prospect Sent to Rangers in Two-For-One Deal - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Dash Pair Garner Caroline League Postseason Accolades - Winston-Salem Dash
- K-Tribe Notes for Thursday at Frederick - Kinston Indians
- Hillcats Host Benefit for Hannah Johnson - Lynchburg Hillcats
- P-Nats Picked for Postseason All-Star Squad - Potomac Nationals
- Widlansky Named Player of the Month - Frederick Keys
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