Hillcats Shutout by Red Sox in Game Five

Salem, Virginia – The Lynchburg Hillcats (25-20) committed a season-high five errors and left twelve runners on the base paths in a 5-0 loss Saturday night to the Salem Red Sox (25-22).

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Salem’s Nick Yorke reached right away on an error committed by Angel Martinez at shortstop in the bottom of the first inning. Hillcats starter Lenny Torres (0-2) fanned the next batter he faced in Ceddane Rafeala, but Matthew Lugo smacked a double to right field that drove in the Red Sox first score of the game. A pair of walks by Torres loaded the bases, with Matthew Lugo racing home on a wild pitch thrown to the backstop to make it 2-0 Salem.
• The Hillcats’ starter caught Eduardo Lopez looking, but a dropped fly ball to right field by Lynchburg’s Cody Farhat allowed two more runs to score for the Red Sox.
• After Salem’s Jake McKenzie laced a base-hit to right field, the Hillcats made a pitching change with Torres exiting only having allowed one earned run.
• Lynchburg reliever Jaime Arias got the final out of the frame immediately, but the Red Sox took a big 4-0 lead after just one inning of play.
• In the top of the second the Hillcats brought the tying run to the plate when they loaded the bases against Salem starter Jeremy Wu-Yelland. Lynchburg loaded the bases on an Alexfri Planez single and a pair of free passes but Wu-Yelland locked in a retired two straight to end the inning.
• Arias pitched three and a ⅓ innings of scoreless work for the Hillcats, allowing just one hit while fanning two.
• The Red Sox tacked on another unearned run in the bottom of the seventh, with Nick Yorke advancing to second on a throwing error and scoring on a bunt single laid down by Salem’s Stephen Scott.
• Despite knocking four hits in the final three innings of play, the Hillcats couldn’t bring anyone home falling 5-0 to the Salem Red Sox
• The loss still keeps the Hillcats with a series lead, up 3-2, heading into tomorrow's series finale.

WHO'S NEXT

The Hillcats are back in action Sunday in game six against the Red Sox from Haley Toyota Field. First pitch is set for 4:05pm.