Weird Walk-Off Snaps Hillcats Losing Streak
Published on May 5, 2012 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Hill City Howlers News Release
Lynchburg, VA- The Hillcats snapped their three game losing streak in walk-off fashion. Not in the way you would suspect. An RBI fielder's choice was the final play as new Hillcat Tim Smith becomes a hero in the 4-3 victory.
TheHillcats were off to a terrible starton the 4th Annual Autism Awareness Night at Lynchburg CityStadium. The game started with a pop bunt that fell between starter Dimasther Delgado and catcher Braeden Schlehuber. Rushing the throw with Teodoro Martinez running, Schlehuber air mailedit overChris Garcia's head at first base. Martinez recognized the mistake and took second.Jared Hoying was next to the plate. He lined a hot shot down the third base side that was deflected by Edward Salcedo.Martinez brokefor third and Salcedotried to regroup and throw an off-balance throw toshortstopNick Ahmed, who was cover the bag. The throwwas low and went into left field, Martinezheaded home and Hoying took second. Delgado settled down and retired the next three batters to escape the inning trailing 1-0.
Salcedo made up for his fourth error in his last two games at third by crushing a ball over the head of Jake Skole in center. Skole missed the cut-off man and Salcedo took advantage and raced to third. Chris Garcia wasted no time and ripped a single that was knocked down by Edwin Garcia. Salcedo scored to knot it up at 1-1. Schlehuber added a single with one out and Garcia went to second. Next up was the speedy Kyle Rose who hit a slow roller to Edwin Garcia. A creative under the arm flip got Schlehuber at first, but the throw to first was not in time. Runners were nowat the corners for Matt Lipka. On a 2-1 count, both runners broke and the Pelicans catcher, Tomas Telis, decided to try to throw out Rose. The throw was low and went underneath the glove of Edwin Garcia, Rose went to third and Chris Garcia scored the 'Cats second run. Rose was stranded at third.
The top of the third started exactly as the Hillcats' bottom of the second did. A lead-off doubleoff the bat of Edwin Garciawas the first extra base hit surrendered byDelgado. Garcia reached third on asharply hit one-out single fromHoying. With one down, Christian Villanueva gothis first RBI of the dayon a deep sacrifice fly to center. Garcia scored to make it 2-2.
Chris Garcia hit a 2-2 pitch into the gap with one out in the top of the fourth. After Robby Hefflinger flew out to center, Schlehuber slapped a single between the shortstop and third baseman. Hoying came up throwing, but Garcia beat the throw home with a hook slide for the 'Cats third run of the game.
Myrtle Beach battled back in the sixth.Martinez started with a single to left. Hoying followed with a single to right, but was cut downtrying to stretch it to a double. The relay throw was to Ahmed whowon the foot race to the bag and dove to tag out Hoying. Martinez was at third for Villanueva who hit a weak ground ball to Ahmed. Martinez scored on the fielder's choice to tie the game at three.
Each team threatened but neither could plate a run until the ninth.Ahmedreached base with his secondsingle of the day with one out.A stolen base and wild pitch to Tommy La Stella allowed Ahmed to get to third.The Pelicans eventually intentionally walked La Stella to set-up a force play.Tim Smith wasup with runners on the corners and the infieldin.Smithwas sawed-off by a Jimmy Reyes fastball. Smith's bat broke and flew towards Santiago Chirino at second. ChriniotugLa Stella on thesoftly hit ball, but Chrinio couldn'tget the ball out of his glove in time to geta hustlingSmith. Ahmed scored to end the gave and give the Hillcats the victory 4-3.
Thewinner pitcher was Matt Chaffee (1-0). He went one perfect inning with a strike out. The losing pitcher was Jimmy Reyes (0-1). His line was 1.2 innings, he gave up one hit and one walk to go along with the winning run.
The series finale isset for 2:05pm tomorrow. Lynchburg City Stadium will open its gates at 1:00pm. J.R. Graham (3-0, 3.00) will take the hill for the 'Cats.Righty Kyle Hendricks (0-3, 3.07) will be on the rubber for the Pelicans.If you can't make it to the ballpark, you can listen live to all the action on 105.5 FM KD Country and online at lynchburg-hillcats.com starting with the Hillcats On-Deck Show coming on the air at 5:40pm with Erik Wilson and Mike Viso.
Carolina League Stories from May 5, 2012
- Dash Fall Short against Salem - Winston-Salem Dash
- Ninth-Inning Fireworks Salt An 8-3 Win - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Barnes Ks a Dozen in Dominant Debut; Salem Prevails 6-4 - Salem RidgeYaks
- Wilmington Defeats Potomac 8-3 - Potomac Nationals
- Myrtle Beach Falls in 9th, 4-3 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Weird Walk-Off Snaps Hillcats Losing Streak - Hill City Howlers
- Mudcats, Keys Postponed - Carolina Mudcats
- Hillcats Game Notes - Hill City Howlers
- Blue Rocks Game Notes - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Mudcats Game Notes - May 5 - Carolina Mudcats
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