Hillcats Fall to Pelicans

Lynchburg, Virginia – The Lynchburg Hillcats (10-4) rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth inning, but the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (7-7) shut the door with a four-run top of the ninth to hand the Hillcats their first loss at Bank of the James Stadium this year.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Daniel Espino set the tone early on the mound for the Hillcats, not allowing a hit until the top of the fifth inning when Myrtle Beach’s Yohendrick Pinango sliced a single to shallow center field. Jonathan Sierra followed up with a single up the middle and Pinango scored on a passed ball behind Yanier Diaz. Pelicans right fielder Jacob Wetzel earned a free pass, but Espino locked in and retired the next two batters he faced. Zach Hart took over to get the final out for the Hillcats, fanning Edmond Americaan to limit the damage to one run.
• Espino finished with seven strikeouts through four and a third innings pitched, bringing his season total to 18K in three starts.
• The Hillcats did not get a hit until the bottom of the seventh inning, however Lynchburg was still within striking distance thanks to the stellar performance in relief by Zach Hart. The ‘Cats hurler struck out six of the eight batters he faced, giving up just one hit in two and a third innings of work.
• In the bottom of the eighth new Pelicans pitcher Jake Reidl quickly put two Hillcats away, sending Christian Cairo to the plate with two outs. However a dropped third strike allowed Cairo to reach and got the Hillcats rolling. A hit from Micah Pries and a walk from Will Bartlett loaded the bases, with the tying run coming home when Yanier Diaz drew a free pass of his own knotting the score at one apiece heading into the ninth.
• The Pelicans came out ready to go against Lynchburg reliever Daritzon Feliz. The Hillcats’ pitcher retired the first two batters he faced, but three straight walks and three hits in the frame brought home four runs for Myrtle Beach to put the Pelicans up four.
• For the first time at Bank of the James Stadium the Hillcats found themselves playing a bottom of the ninth. With one out Alexfri Planez crushed a triple to left field, coming home on a wild pitch. In the end that was the last tally for Lynchburg, losing 5-2 to Myrtle Beach.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Micah Pries has managed an eight game hit streak, the second longest in the Indians system.
• Alexfri Planez’s triple was the second in as many nights for the Hillcats, who have six total three-baggers on the year.

WHO'S NEXT

The Hillcats are back in action against the Pelicans Thursday night for game three of a six game series. First pitch is set for 6:30pm.