Plutko Strikes Out 10, Hillcats Roll
Adam Plutko produced another great performance for the Hillcats on Wednesday night as Lynchburg topped Salem, 7-2.Plutko set team-highs in strikeouts and fewest hits allowed, and tied the longest outing by a starter this year.
Lynchburg couldn't have asked for a better start to the night at the plate as Luigi Rodriguez hit a lead-off home run to right center field.Clint Frazier followed with a homer of his own and it was 2-0 Hillcats after two hitters. It was the third time the Hillcats have gone back-to-back this season.
Nellie Rodriguez extended the lead in the third with an RBI double down the right field line. Frazier scored on the play after he was hit by a pitch earlier in the inning.
The advantage increased to five in the fourth inning. Mike Papi led off with a double and scored on a single from Paul Hendrix. Luigi Rodriguez doubled with two outs and came around to score on a single from Frazier.
Adam Plutko, who has been great all season, had his best outing so far on Wednesday night. Plutko went seven innings, allowed one hit and struck out 10. It's the first time a Hillcats' pitcher has had double-digit strikeouts in 2015. He picked up his fourth win and his third in a row.
The two sides exchanged runs in the eighth, James Roberts notched an RBI double for the Hillcats, and Salem scored one in the ninth for a 7-2 Lynchburg win. The victory is the third win in a row and the sixth out of the last seven games for the 'Cats.
The Hillcats will go for the sweep on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. in Salem. Fans can tune into ESPN Radio Virginia 93.3 FM and 1320 AM beginning at 6:40 p.m. for the Hillcats On-Deck Show.