Blue Rocks Down Hillcats, 9-6
SUMMARY
Lynchburg dropped the second game of the series to the Wilmington Blue Rocks, 9-6, at City Stadium Wednesday night. The Blue Rocks scored five runs in the first three innings to jump out to an early lead and never looked back. Each team hit two home runs during the contest, including Daniel Salters and Claudio Bautista for Lynchburg.
SLUGFEST IN LYNCHBURG
Wilmington got to starter Luis Lugo (1-3) early with two runs in the first off of two hits and two walks. The Blue Rocks built a bigger lead in the third frame with two solo shots off the bats of Brandon Downes and Wander Franco. The 'Cats broke their scoreless drought during the fifth inning. Daniel Salters lead the inning off with a double, which was followed by a David Armendariz single to put runners on the corners.Greg Allen reached base on a fielding error, which brought the second run in after Salters had already scored on a passed ball. Allen would later come around to score on a sacrifice fly from Yu-Cheng Chang.
In the sixth inning Daniel Salters slugged his second round tripper of the season, which brought in two runs. The following frame Claudio Bautista crushed his second homer of the season to make the score 9-6.
PITCHING STAFF WOES
Luis Lugo suffered his second loss of the season after going five innings and allowing five earned runs. The southpaw struggled with his command early in the game, which lead to him surrendering two homers. David Speer allowed his first earned run in his last six appearances during his brief outing out of the bullpen. Trevor Frank pitched a perfect eighth inning, striking out the side. Frank has struck out nine batters this season and only allowed seven hits. The pitching staff allowed the most runs in a game since April 11 against the Potomac Nationals when they dropped that contest 10-1.
SHORT HOPS
With Daniel Salters' sixth inning homer, the Hillcats have homered in seven straight games dating back to May 19 against the Salem Red Sox… The seven-game streak ties the season high for consecutive games with a home run which was previously accomplished 4/11-4/17… The Blue Rocks and Hillcats combined for four homers which is the most hit at City Stadium this year…Bobby Bradley recorded his 200th career professional hit with his single in the sixth frame… Greg Allen swiped his 100th base of his minor league career.
ON DECK
Lynchburg will look to bounce back against Wilmington on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Southpaw Sean Brady (2-3, 5.15) will toe the rubber in a matchup with fellow left-hander Matt Tenuta (2-2, 5.23). Fans can listen to the action on 93.3 FM and 1320 AM as well as www.lynchburg-hillcats.com, beginning with the Hillcats On-Deck Show at 6:15 p.m.