Bats go silent in shutout loss to Astros

Buies Creek, N.C. - The Lynchburg Hillcats were shutout on Sunday, losing to the Buies Creek Astros, 1-0.

The Hillcats (24-23) were shutout for the second time on the eight-game road trip in their defeat to the Astros (28-22).
Buies Creek scored the only run of the game in the second inning.J.J. Matijevic singled to start the inning, and scored when Chas McCormick hit an RBI double.
The Hillcats best scoring chance came in the third inning, when Anthony Miller and Luke Wakamatsu reached on back-to-back singles. Logan Ice tried to lay down a sacrifice bunt, but popped up the bunt attempt that was caught for the first out. Brandon Bielak (Win, 4-3) then picked up back-to-back strikeouts of Mitch Longo and Jodd Carter to end the threat.
Justin Garza (Loss, 2-2) pitched four innings for Lynchburg, and allowed just one earned run on four hits, striking out six. Micah Miniard went the rest of the way out the Hillcats bullpen. The right-hander logged four hitless innings and struck out four.
Bielak pitched five scoreless innings and allowed just two hits, striking out six. Hector Perez (Save, 1) pitched the final four innings in relief for Buies Creek. He did not allow a hit and struck out three.
The Hillcats road trip concludes on Monday with the finale of the four-game series against the Buies Creek Astros. Left-hander Sam Hentges (3-3, 3.20) will start for Lynchburg, while the Astros will send righty Carson LaRue (2-2, 3.86) to the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Jim Perry Stadium.
Max Gun will be on the air from Buies Creek at 5:50 p.m. with the Hillcats pre-game show on TuneIn Radio and the Radio434 App.
For tickets and more information visit Lynchburg-hillcats.com, the City Stadium Box Office, or call 434-528-1144.