CarL1 Lynchburg Hillcats

Rodriguez' Late Blast Sinks Cats

Published on August 14, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Lynchburg Hillcats News Release


Gerry Rodriguez hit a three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning that snapped a 6-6 tie and propelled Myrtle Beach to a 9-6 victory over Lynchburg at City Stadium Friday night. The two teams will meet in the second game of a three-game series on Saturday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.

The Pelicans drew first blood with a run in the opening frame. Cole Miles singled to start the inning and stole second base. Miles scored on an RBI single from Donell Linares, the first of his five hits in the contest, to give Myrtle Beach a 1-0 advantage.

Myrtle Beach (20-27, 45-69) tacked on a pair of runs in the top of the third. Robert Marcial hit a leadoff single off Cats starter Jeff Locke and advanced to second when Miles reached on a fielding error by Locke. After Michael Fisher advanced the runners on a sacrifice bunt, Linares hit a two-run double to extend the Pelicans' lead to 3-0.

Lynchburg struck back in the bottom of the frame. Myrtle Beach starter allowed consecutive singles to Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer. Jamie Romak drove in Harrison with an RBI double that enabled Mercer to take third. Kris Watts followed with a two-run single that knotted the score at 3-3.

The Pelicans reclaimed the lead in the fifth. Locke allowed a double to Miles and a single to Fisher, putting Pelicans on the corners with nobody out. Linares delivered an RBI single to put Myrtle Beach in front 4-3.

Myrtle Beach plated two more runs in the sixth. Jon Mark Owings doubled to start the inning and reached third on a single by Randy Gress. Owings scored on a sacrifice bunt by Marcial. Linares drove in his fifth run of the game with a two-out RBI single, which made it a 6-3 game.

The Hillcats (19-28, 64-52) evened the score at 6-6 when Kris Watts smacked a three-run homer off Pelicans reliever Tommy Palica that sailed over the right field wall in the bottom of the seventh. It was the first home run for Watts since June 13, ending a span of 121 at-bats without a home run.

With the score tied at 6-6, Cats closer R. J. Rodriguez entered the game in the top of the ninth. Linares hit a one-out double to complete his 5-for-5 night and was replaced by pinch runner C. J. Lee. Rodriguez issued a walk to Cody Johnson before allowing the game-winning three-run blast to Gerry Rodriguez. It was just the second home run surrendered by Rodriguez in 2009.

Cory Gearrin worked a scoreless inning in the bottom of the ninth to preserve the win for Myrtle Beach. He earned his 13th save of the season. Lee Hyde (3-1) tossed 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief to pick up the win. Rodriguez (6-3) took the loss for Lynchburg.

Lynchburg will attempt to even the three-game series when the two teams meet on Saturday night at City Stadium. Game time is set for 6:05 p.m. RHP Matt McSwain (9-7, 3.57 ERA) gets the start for Lynchburg. The Pelicans will hand the ball to LHP Cole Rohrbough (4-7, 6.04 ERA).

Pirates weekend continues at Calvin Falwell Field. The first 1,000 fans in attendance on Saturday will receive a Hillcats/Pirates bandana courtesy of Honda/Suzuki of Lynchburg. Post-game fireworks presented by Honda/ Suzuki of Lynchburg will follow the game.

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 5:40 p.m. Saturday.

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Carolina League Stories from August 14, 2009


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