Four run first sets tone in 8-4 loss

LYNCHBURG, VA - Matt Bywater allowed seven runs and nine hits over four innings pitched and took the loss as the Mudcats were defeated 8-4 in Lynchburg by the Hillcats on Saturday night at Calvin Falwell Field. Tanner Krietemeier and Carlos Franco were both 3-for-4 in the loss.

Bywater (L, 2-2, 4.74) allowed four runs in the first, three in the second and nine hits overall in the loss. He started the first by hitting Greg Allen with a pitch and then walked Yhoxian Medina. Clint Frazier followed with a RBI single and Dorsyss Paulina later drove in a run with a RBI triple. Joe Sever drove in two with a double in the second and Hillcats (71-67, 38-30) led 6-0 after two.

The Hillcats pounded out seven hits and scored six runs over the first two innings while jumping out to their 6-0 lead. Carolina (70-67, 36-32) came back with a three run third and did so with help of a two-run single from Franco.

Franco was 3-for-4 with two RBI in Saturday's game and Krietemeier was 3-for-4 with a run. Johan Camargo also had a multi-hit game and was 2-for-3 with one run scored.

Carolina trailed 6-3 after three, but the Hillcats picked up one more against Bywater in the fourth to take a 7-3 lead. Bywater struck out seven, walked three and allowed seven runs and nine hits over four innings pitched.

Lynchburg starter Luis Lugo allowed all three Carolina runs in the third, but none of the three were earned. Lugo worked through the fourth and into the fifth before leaving the game. Lugo allowed one earned run and four total over four and 1/3 innings and did not earn a decision.

Reliever David Speer (W, 1-0, 0.00) followed Lugo in the fifth and eventually earned the win after holding the Mudcats without another run in the game. He allowed an inherited runner to score in the fifth, but worked through two scoreless frames while pitching into the sixth. Speer also scattered three hits and struck out two.

Lynchburg used relievers J.P. Feyereisen, Trevor Frank and Robbie Aviles in the game after Speer's appearance. The Hillcats' bullpen kept the Mudcats scoreless after the fifth and combined to leave five men on base over the final four innings. Three of the five left on came in the seventh when the Mudcats left the bases loaded.

Carolina's Jorge Zavala entered the game in the fifth after Bywater finished his fourth and final inning. Zavala allowed just one hit over two scoreless innings and struck out three.

Clayton Cook pitched the seventh and kept the Hillcats without a run despite hitting a batter and walking one.

Carlos Salazar finished the game by working through the eighth. He walked three in the inning and allowed one hit. His only run allowed came after issuing a bases loaded walk in the inning.

The Mudcats fell into a 1-1 series tie with the Saturday night, game two loss in Lynchburg. Game three of the series is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. with Blair Walters starting for Carolina.

All games air on the Mudcats Radio Network, The Big Dawg 98.5 FM, Rock City 99.3 FM and Sports 1490 AM. Games are also streamed online at www.carolinamudcats.com via TuneIn Radio and the TuneIn Radio app. TuneIn Radio is the official digital audio partner of MiLB.com.

The Carolina Mudcats are the Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. The 2015 "Braves New World" season is the first for the Mudcats as an affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and their fourth straight in the historic Carolina League. First established in 1991, the Carolina Mudcats are entering their 25th straight season of baseball at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C. Fans can purchase tickets or find more information by calling (919) 269-2287 or by visiting www.carolinamudcats.com.

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