CarL1 Lynchburg Hillcats

Wilson Silences Myrtle Beach in Hillcats Win

Published on August 16, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Lynchburg Hillcats News Release


Justin Wilson turned in a masterful performance at City Stadium as the left-hander tossed seven scoreless innings and notched a career-high 11 strikeouts in Lynchburg's 3-0 victory over Myrtle Beach Sunday night. The Hillcats salvaged a win in the three-game series and will travel to Salem for the start of a three-game series on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m.

Wilson set the tone for the evening by striking out the side in the first. He fanned Cole Miles and Michael Fisher before allowing a single to Donell Linares. Wilson recovered with a strikeout of Cody Johnson to end the frame. Linares went 2-for-4 Sunday and 9-for-12 in the series with a home run, two doubles, a walk and seven RBI.

Lynchburg (20-29, 65-53) took advantage of control struggles from Myrtle Beach starter Erik Cordier in the bottom of the first. Cordier retired Chase d'Arnaud to start the inning before plunking Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer with fastballs that missed the inner half of the plate. Jamie Romak drew a walk to load the bases and Matt Hague drove in Harrison with a sacrifice fly to give the Cats a 1-0 edge.

The Hillcats added a pair of runs in the third. Harrison drew a one-out walk from Cordier and stole second base. Mercer laced an RBI double down the left field line that plated Harrison. Cordier hit his third batter of the night when he plunked Romak to put runners at first and second. Both runners advanced ninety feet when Cordier delivered a wild pitch. Hague knocked in Mercer with an RBI groundout, which extended the Lynchburg lead to 3-0.

Three runs was all the support Wilson needed. The first-year pro out of Fresno State amassed six of his career-high 11 strikeouts in his final four innings of work. Wilson also set a new career-high in innings pitched with seven.

Cats reliever Harrison Bishop entered the game in the eighth inning and worked two scoreless innings to pick up his second save of the season.

Wilson (6-7) did not issue a walk and allowed five hits in seven innings to earn the win. He has now allowed just three earned runs in his last 33 1/3 innings pitched, a span of six starts. Wilson is 3-1 with a 0.81 ERA during that stretch. Cordier (6-6) allowed three hits, three earned runs, three walks and hit three batters and took the loss for Myrtle Beach (21-28, 46-70).

The victory enabled Lynchburg to avoid a sweep in the three-game series. The Hillcats finished the six-game homestand with a 2-4 mark. Following an off day on Monday, Lynchburg will travel to Salem for a three-game set beginning on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The Cats are expected to start LHP Rudy Owens (1-0, 0.00 ERA) while Salem will likely counter with RHP Kyle Weiland (4-9, 3.77 ERA).

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Carolina League Stories from August 16, 2009


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