Chang, Hillcats reach Carolina League Finals

Yu-Cheng Chang went 0-for-2 in Lynchburg's shutout loss to Potomac in Game 1 of the Carolina League semifinals. He's been unstoppable ever since.

A night after going 4-for-6 with two doubles and two runs scored, the Indians' No. 10 prospect delivered the decisive blow in the Hillcats' 3-1 win over the P-Nats on Friday, crushing a two-run homer in the seventh inning.

Chang went 2-for-3, bringing his series line to 6-for-11 with a homer, two doubles, two RBIs and three runs scored as Lynchburg advanced to the Mills Cup Finals.

"The last couple nights, he's swung the bat really well," said Hillcats manager Mark Budzinski. "He got a pitch out over the plate tonight and hit it out for a two-run homer, gave us a little breathing room there. Just happy for him and the progress he's made this year both offensively and defensively.

Chang wasn't the only hero of Friday's win-or-go-home game, as starter Sean Brady allowed three hits and a walk while striking out seven over 5 1/3 scoreless innings. The win was his second since Aug. 1, and he held an opponent under three runs for the first time in seven starts.

"He did an awesome job tonight keeping the ball down, mixing speeds, keeping them off-balance, working the corners and working ahead," Budzinski said. "Gave us a strong 5 1/3 shutout innings to allow us to relax a bit and kept the infielders and outfielders busy, throwing strikes and keeping them on their toes, which is what we ask from any of our pitchers."

After getting blown out in the series opener, Lynchburg was an out away from elimination in the 12th inning Thursday before Yonathan Mendoza doubled in Indians No. 15 prospect Will Castro to tie the game. The Hillcats won in the 14th when No. 3 prospect Bobby Bradley singled in Mendoza.

"[We're] excited after being down one game and coming back and playing a long 14-inning game last night," Budzinski said. "Just proud of the guys for persevering and continuing to work hard every day and going out and executing. ... Them getting a chance to play in a Championship Series is something special that doesn't happen every year."

Lynchburg will face Myrtle Beach in the Carolina League Finals, a team it has seen a lot lately. The Hillcats took the season series from the Pelicans, 8-6.

"We played them quite a bit here -- been down there twice in the last two weeks," Budzinski said. "There have been tight games down there and good series, and we expect more of the same. It'll be a battle to the finish."

Game 1 is Saturday in Myrtle Beach.

In other playoff action:

Pelicans 2, Red Sox 1

Myrtle Beach rallied late Friday to eliminate Salem and advance to the Finals. Cubs No. 6 prospect Duane Underwood Jr. held Salem hitless through three before allowing a run in the fifth, his final inning of the night. Daniel Spingola tied the game with a single to left in the seventh and No. 11 prospect Donnie Dewees scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch in the eighth. Ryan McNeil got the final five outs for the save. Box score