Rough Second Inning Dooms Hillcats
Published on May 17, 2011 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Hill City Howlers News Release
Kinston, NC - The Kinston Indians sent eight batters to the plate in the second inning scoring four runs against Hillcats starter Cory Rasmus. That was the only bad inning for Rasmus on the night, as he didn't allow another hit through four more frames.
Lynchburg scored first in the contest. Todd Cunningham singled to lead off the game in the top of the first inning. He stole second, his sixth of the season, and was sacrificed over to third before scoring on a wild pitch. The Hillcats led 1-0 in the first inning.
Then came the troublesome second inning for Rasmus. A walk, a double, and hit batter loaded the bases with two outs. Tyler Holt drew an RBI walk to tie the game at 1-1. Justin Toole delivered the big blow however, as he doubled to left-center two pitches later. Left fielder, L.V. Ware nearly made a spectacular catch that would have ended the inning, but instead the ball went off the tip of his glove and three runs came around to score.
Before the second inning was over, Toole would deliver another crushing blow to the 'Cats. This time he did it with his helmet in a collision at home plate. Bo Greenwell singled up the middle. Shortstop Andrelton Simmons made a diving stop in shallow center and threw the ball home to cut down Toole trying to score from second base. Toole was beaten by the throw by twenty feet and came barreling in helmet first at the legs of the catcher Braeden Schlehuber. Schlehuber held onto the ball for the out but would leave the game with a left leg injury.
The play at the plate ended the second frame 4-1 Kinston.
Geraldo Rodriguez brought the Hillcats right back in to the game with a two-run blast in the top of the third inning. It was his second in eight games with the Hillcats. Lynchburg trailed by just one, as it was 4-3 in the third.
The score remained 4-3 into the ninth inning. Phil Gosselin led off with a single representing the tying run in the Hillcats last ups. Gosselin moved from first to third after pair groundouts, standing 90 feet away with two outs. Barrett Kleinknecht popped up to second base to end the game and Gosselin went stranded at third base.
The Hillcats lost 4-3, falling to 14-22 on the season, while the Indians improved to 15-22.
Kinston starter, T.J. House (2-4), completed six innings, allowing three earned runs on eight hits on his way to the win. Rasmus (0-5) took the loss after surrendering four runs through six innings on just four hits, two walks, while striking out seven. Preston Guilment earned a four-out save, his sixth of the season, and third against the Hillcats.
Game three of the four-game series is set for 6:30 pm Wednesday night. Catch all the action starting with the Hillcats On-Deck Show powered by Honda/Suzuki of Lynchburg at 6:10 pm.
Carolina League Stories from May 17, 2011
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- Baserunning Plagues Nats in 2-0 Loss - Potomac Nationals
- Rough Second Inning Dooms Hillcats - Hill City Howlers
- Kinston Beats Lynchburg 4-3 - Kinston Indians
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- Tuesday Night's Dash Game Postponed - Winston-Salem Dash
- Rain Postpones Tuesday Game in Winston - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Hill City Howlers
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