Strong pitching, just enough offense spark Lynchburg to 4-3 victory
Published on August 21, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Lynchburg Hillcats News Release
Four runs in the first four innings proved to be just enough offense for Lynchburg as the Hillcats defeated Salem 4-3 at Salem Memorial Ballpark Thursday night. With the win, the Cats claimed a series victory in the three-game set. The Hillcats will face Winston-Salem in a doubleheader at City Stadium Friday. Game one is slated for a 6:05 p.m. start.
Lynchburg (22-30, 67-54) seized the early lead with a run in the top of the first. Chase d'Arnaud was plunked by Salem starter Eammon Portice and advanced to second on Alex Presley's groundout. Jordy Mercer drove in d'Arnaud with an RBI single that gave the Cats a 1-0 advantage.
The Red Sox answered with a run in the bottom of the second. Anthony Rizzo hit a leadoff single off Lynchburg starter Nate Adcock. Rizzo advanced to second when David Mailman reached on an error by d'Arnaud. A wild pitch from Adcock enabled both runners to advance ninety feet and Rizzo scored on Jon Hee's sacrifice fly that knotted the score at 1-1.
The Cats reclaimed the lead in the third. d'Arnaud drew a leadoff walk - one of four walks issued by Portice - and Presley belted his fourth home run of the season to put Lynchburg in front 3-1. Presley went 2-for-5 with a home run, a double and two RBI in the ballgame.
Lynchburg tacked on another run an inning later. Jared Keel drew a leadoff walk from Portice. After Portice struck out Erik Huber, he was lifted for reliever Kyle Fernandes. Keel took second when Jose De Los Santos hit a slow grounder off Fernandes that resulted in a fielding error by Aaron Reza. d'Arnaud followed with an infield single to load the bases. After Presley struck out, Fernandes surrendered a bases-loaded walk to Mercer that scored Keel and made it a 4-1 contest.
Salem (23-28, 55-65) reduced Lynchburg's lead to 4-2 when Brad Correll belted a solo home run off Adcock in the bottom of the fourth.
The Red Sox drew closer with a run in the seventh. Cats reliever Ronald Uviedo struck out Rizzo to begin the inning. But Tim Federowicz reached on an error by De Los Santos and d'Arnaud's second error of the night allowed Mailman to reach and take second while Federowicz advanced to third. Hee picked up his second RBI of the night on a groundout that scored Federowicz, which made it a 4-3 game. Uviedo retired Luis Segovia on a fly out that ended the inning with no further damage.
Uviedo and the Cats thwarted Salem's final threat in the bottom of the ninth. Correll hit a leadoff double and Rizzo drew a walk to put runners at first and second with no outs. Federowicz advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt and Lynchburg elected to issue an intentional walk to Mailman, which loaded the bases. But Mercer caught a line drive off the bat of Hee and flipped to d'Arnaud at second to double off Rizzo and seal the Cats victory.
Adcock (3-0) allowed four hits and two runs, only one of which was earned, in five innings of work to earn the win. Portice (6-6) was charged with the loss for Salem. Uviedo allowed just one unearned run in four innings pitched to pick up his second save.
The Cats return to City Stadium for an eight-game homestand that begins with a doubleheader against Winston-Salem on Friday night. Game one of the double dip is scheduled for a 6:05 p.m. start. Lynchburg will send LHP Jeff Locke (3-8, 5.19 ERA) to the mound in the first game while Winston-Salem is expected to start RHP Miguel Socolovich (3-1, 2.83 ERA). The Cats are expected to start RHP Matt McSwain (9-8, 3.69 ERA) in game two opposite RHP Levi Maxwell (4-13, 4.62 ERA)
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. Friday.
Carolina League Stories from August 21, 2009
- Nationals Thump Red Sox 11-0 - Salem RidgeYaks
- Cats Dispatch Dash In Doubleheader Opener - Lynchburg Hillcats
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- Four-Run Sixth Lifts Myrtle Beach Over Keys - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Pelicans' 1B Mejia Homers Twice, Drives in Four in 9-5 Win - Frederick Keys
- Hillcats Drop Dash in Opener, Nightcap Postponed - Winston-Salem Dash
- Super-NAT-ural Slugging Sinks Sox in Opener - Potomac Nationals
- K-Tribe Wins at Wilmington 4-1 - Kinston Indians
- K-Tribe kicks off a three game roadtrip in Wilmington - Kinston Indians
- Potomac Nationals Game Notes - Potomac Nationals
- Hillcats Game Notes August 21st - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Strong pitching, just enough offense spark Lynchburg to 4-3 victory - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Ejections, Rally, Wild Pitches & Miscues Highlight Marathon Finale - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Myrtle Beach secures series split, above .500 road trip - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
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