Lynchburg beats Winston-Salem 9-2 in rubber match

LYNCHBURG, Va. (July 28, 2019) - Finishing out their six-game road trip, the Dash dropped Sunday's rubber match 9-2 against the Lynchburg Hillcats at City Stadium.
The Hillcats (17-19, 49-54) struck early and often in the opening frames against Dash starter Konnor Pilkington (2-8). Tyler Freeman singled to start the first, and, two batters later, Oscar Gonzalez ripped a run-scoring double to left to make it a 1-0 contest. After Mitch Reeves was retired on a lineout, Gavin Collins doubled in Gonzalez to put Lynchburg up two. 

In the second, the Hillcats added to their lead. Mike Rivera walked with one out, and Jodd Carter followed with a double to put runners on second and third. Then, Freeman was hit by a pitch to load the bases. The next two batters, Steven Kwan and Gonzalez, hit back-to-back RBI singles to make it a 4-0 game. Reeves would cap the scoring in the inning with a sacrifice fly to right. 
Jake Elliott relieved Pilkington and tossed two scoreless innings out of the bullpen before Lynchburg recorded three runs in the fifth against Jose Nin. With the bases loaded and two outs, Freeman ripped a three-run double down the left-field line to up the Hillcats edge to eight. 
The Hillcats starter Juan Hillman (4-10) was superb through the first six innings, allowing just three hits before the Dash (17-20, 55-46) finally broke through offensively in the seventh. Carlos Perez, who finished with two hits, lined a single to left to begin the inning. Then, Jameson Fisher doubled to move Perez to third. Two batters later, Tate Blackman laced a run-scoring single to left to get the Dash on the board. 
Then, with Yeyson Yrizarri hitting and Aaron Pinto pitching, a passed ball on the catcher Mike Rivera allowed Fisher to score. That would be all the offense for the Dash, though, as the Hillcats scored the game's final run in the seventh on an Oscar Gonzalez RBI single against Jacob Lindgren.
In the loss, Elliott, Luis Ledo and Andrew Perez posted scoreless outings, with Ledo and Perez having logged an inning apiece.
The Dash now return to BB&T Ballpark for a six-game homestand from Tuesday through next Sunday against the Hillcats and the Carolina Mudcats. Tuesday's series opener against Lynchburg will commence at 7 p.m., and fans can catch all of the action on wsdash.com/broadcast, MiLB.tv and the TuneIn Radio App.
The three-game set with Lynchburg begins with $2 tacos on Tuesday. Wednesday's contest will be the first-ever "Dash Duty Day". Meanwhile, the series finale will be a Lowes Foods Thirsty Thursday as well a Pups in the Park Night presented by Handy and Handy Orthodontics.
Following the three-game set with Lynchburg, the Dash host the Carolina Mudcats for three games to round out the homestand. Friday's series opener will be a Fireworks Friday. Saturday's contest will be the annual Energize the Ballpark Night, with a live concert following the game featuring Two-time Grammy-Award winning Gospel artist Jason Crabb.
The homestand finale on Sunday will be a Lowes Foods Family Sunday. Kids Run the Bases presented by New Balance Winston-Salem will follow each of the weekend's games. For tickets and more information, call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.