Hillcats Clobber Red Sox, Remain Undefeated

Lynchburg, Virginia – For the second night in a row the pitching staff for the Lynchburg Hillcats held the Salem Red Sox to just one score, propelling the ‘Cats to a lopsided win and the best record in Minor League Baseball.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• It was a quick first two frames as both Hillcats’ starter Daniel Espino (1-0) and Red Sox hurler Ryan Zeferjahn (0-2) tossed shutout innings. Espino fanned three batters in the first two innings combined, while Zeferjahn retired the first six hitters he faced.
• The Hillcats finally scored in the top of the third. Back-to-back doubles from Andres Melendez and Alexfri Planez brought in the first run of the game. Jhonkensy Noel picked up his 13th RBI and extended his hitting streak to seven games by knocking Planez home to give the Hillcats a 2-0 lead.
• Salem got within striking distance in the bottom of the third after a walk, a single, and a bunt loaded the bases with Daniel Espino on the mound. A single off the bat of Nick Decker brought in a run and kept the bases loaded with one out. The pressure did not affect the Hillcats’ young arm with Espino retiring two to end the inning with limited damage.
• Up just one the Hillcats found an opportunity to stretch out their lead in the top of the fourth. A walk from Micah Pries, and singles from Will Bartlett and Johnathan Rodriguez loaded the bases for Gabriel Rodriguez who smacked a double to left center field. The two-bagger scored both Pries and Bartlett and put two more runs in scoring position for Lynchburg. A wild pitch from Zeferjahn resulted in an Andres Melendez walk, a Gabriel Rodriguez advance to third, and most importantly scored Johnathan Rodriguez. Off another wild pitch Gabriel raced home putting the Hillcats up 6-1. Despite a pitching change and a solid performance by Jordan DiValerio in relief for the Sox, a pitch slipped by and scored Melendez as well. Through all the chaos the ‘Cats piled on five runs to take a 7-1 lead.
• Nobody scored again for either team until Johnathan Rodriguez drove Will Bartlett home in the top of the eighth putting the Hillcats up 8-1 for good.
• Once again the Hillcats had stellar pitching performances all around. Espino went five innings, striking out five and allowing just one run to earn his first career Minor League win. Jaime Arias and Daritzon Feliz combined to pitch four scoreless innings in relief, allowing just one hit in that stretch.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Akron lost Wednesday, while Down East got postponed meaning the Hillcats are now one of two teams without a loss in the minors.
• The Red Sox left seven runners on base compared to just the two left on by the Hillcats.

WHO'S NEXT

The Hillcats battle Salem Thursday in game three of a six game series from Salem Memorial Ballpark.