Three Runs in the Final Three Innings Not Enough For 'Cats
May 6, 2011 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Lynchburg Hillcats News Release
WInston-Salem, NC - Lynchburg stranded the tying run at third base in the top of the ninth losing 6-5 Friday night to the Winston-Salem Dash.
Todd Cunningham walked on four straight pitches to lead off the game. He advanced to third as an errant pick off attempt went into the right field bullpen. Andrelton Simmons then singled to right field, scoring Cunningham and putting the Hillcats up 1-0 in the first.
Lynchburg surrendered the lead in the bottom of the second inning. With runners at first and second and two outs, Nick Ciolli doubled to right center scoring both runners, giving the Dash a 2-1 lead.
Cunningham continued to set the table out of the lead off spot in the third inning, reaching on a single. He would eventually score on a Phil Gosselin sacrifice fly to right field tying the game 2-2.
The Dash took the lead for good in the fifth frame. Jared Mitchell came to the plate with runners at second and third, 0-for-2 on the night with two strikeouts against Hillcats starter, Zeke Spruill (1-3). Mitchell turned his night around on the second pitch of his third at-bat, smashing a fastball over the right field wall. The three-run shot was Mitchell's third of the season and it put the Dash up 6-2 in the fifth.
The âCats chipped away scoring in each of their final three at-bats. Braeden Schlehuber and Joey Terdoslavich both hit solo home runs in the seventh and eighth innings respecitively. Terdoslavich's long ball was his eighth, putting him in a tie for the league lead with Winston-Salem's Ian Gac.
Then in the ninth, the Hillcats made things very interesting. L.V. Ware single to lead off. Schlehuber followed, doubling to right center, scoring Ware from first, and bringing the âCats within one with nobody out.
Winston-Salem brought Bandon Kloess in from the bullpen with the tying run at second and no outs. Riaan Spanjer-Furstenburg was unable to advance the tying run to third as he popped out to second base for the first out. Cunningham then came up, already 3-for-3 with a walk. He hit a sharp ground ball to first base but Andy Wilkins made the play for the Dash. Schlehuber advanced to third but now there were two outs. The next batter, Simmons, flew out to left field, ending the game with the tying run standing just 90-feet away.
The Dash held on to win 6-5, tying the series 1-1 heading into game three Saturday night.
Andre Rienzo (1-0) earned the win for Winston-Salem tossing five innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on five hits, two walks, while striking out three. Spruill suffered the loss allowing a season high six runs over six innings. Kloess recorded the save for his third on the year.
The series continues Friday night at 7:00 pm at BB&T Ballpark in Winston-Salem. Lynchburg will send RHP Cory Rasmus to the mound against LHP Hector Santiago for the Dash. Catch all the action starting with the Hillcats On-Deck Show powered by Honda/Suzuki of Lynchburg at 6:40 pm on 105.5 KD Country or online at lynchburg-hillcats.com
• Discuss this story on the Carolina League message board...
Carolina League Stories from May 6, 2011
- Offensive Woes Continue In Walk-off Loss - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- C Brian Ward Drives in Game's Winning Run in the Bottom of the Ninth - Frederick Keys
- Erlin's Effort Wasted In 2-1 Friday Loss - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Three Runs in the Final Three Innings Not Enough For 'Cats - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Salem Outduels Myrtle 2-1 - Salem Red Sox
- Mitchell Blast Leads Dash to Win - Winston-Salem Dash
- K-Tribe Game Postponed, Saturday Double Header - Kinston Indians
- P-Nats Rained out in Kinston - Potomac Nationals
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Pelicans Game Notes - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes - Winston-Salem Dash
- Salazar Story Hits ESPN Airwaves - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Third Loss In Four Games Slims Division Lead To 3.0 Games - Wilmington Blue Rocks
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.
