Hillcats Soar to Victory Over Red Sox 

Salem, Virginia – The Lynchburg Hillcats (24-19) tallied four runs in the top of the seventh inning to come from behind and take a 2-1 series lead over the Salem Red Sox (24-20) on Thursday night.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Lynchburg scored first, tallying a run in the bottom of the second off Salem starter Shane Drohan. Cody Farhat drew a free pass and then came home off a double smoked by Yordys Valdes to put the ‘Cats up 1-0.
• Juan Zapata allowed just one hit through the fourth inning, fanning five in just his second start with Lynchburg. However Salem finally got on the board in the bottom of the fifth when Eduardo Lopez walked, becoming just the third base runner allowed by Zapata. Dean Miller followed with a single, but it was Nick Yorke’s base-hit that knocked home Lopez to tie the game. Gilberto Jimenez smacked a two-bagger to score Miller and give the Red Sox a 2-1 lead heading into the sixth.
• The Hillcats snatched the lead back in the top of the seventh with Salem reliever Aaron Perry (3-2) on the mound. Gabriel Rodriguez kicked things off with a walk, moving along and scoring on back-to-back singles from Yainer Diaz and Ike Freeman. Cody Farhat loaded the bases when he walked, setting up Hosea Nelson for the biggest hit of the game. The ‘Cats slugger crushed a ball to left field, clearing the bases and putting the Hillcats up 5-2.
• Cade Smith (1-1) tossed three innings of scoreless ball, retiring all nine batters he faced to pick up his first professional win.
• Jerson Ramirez struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth to secure his team-high six saves and solidify a 5-2 Hillcats win at Salem Memorial Ballpark.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Hillcats left eleven on base, including seven in the first four innings.
• Lynchburg is now in sole possession of second place in the Northern Division.

WHO'S NEXT

The Hillcats are back in action Friday in game three against the Red Sox from Haley Toyota Field. First pitch is set for 7:05pm