Lynchburg Hillcats Squeak by Myrtle Beach Pelicans 3-2 - Adv A, Carolina League

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com - Lynchburg, VA - Trailing 3-1 heading into the ninth inning, Pelicans first baseman Ernesto Mejia hit a one out solo blast to trim the Hillcats lead to 3-2.  However, Lynchburg reliever Eric Krebs put an end to the Pelicans rally and helped the Hillcats avoid the sweep.  Even with the loss, the Pelicans will leave Lynchburg with their fifth consecutive series victory.  In addition, the Pelicans will maintain a healthy lead atop the Southern division of the Carolina League. 

 

The Lynchburg Hillcats jumped on the board early in the bottom of the first inning.  Hillcats shortstop Brian Friday led off with a double to left field.  Angel Gonzalez then placed a successful sacrifice bunt down to move Friday to third.  Three batters later, Pelicans starter Tommy Hanson delivered a wild pitch that allowed Friday to score the games first run.

 

It didn't take long for the Pelicans to respond.  Left fielder Willie Cabrera opened the second inning by smashing his second home run of the season over the left field wall to tie the game at 1-1.

 

Against two-time Carolina League Pitcher of the Week, the Hillcats calmly regained the lead in the bottom of the third.  Third baseman Jim Negrych hit a one out single.  Negrych, who went 2-3 with two of the three Lynchburg runs, advanced into scoring position after Steve Lerud drew a walk.  With two outs, Eddie Prash hit an RBI single up the middle to give the Hillcats a 2-1 edge.

 

 

In the fifth inning, Hanson ran into more control issues leading to another run for the Hillcats.  Jim Negrych again reached base on a single.  While Kent Sakamoto was at the plate, Hanson threw two wild pitches to advance Negrych from first to third.  Sakamoto followed with a sacrifice fly to right field to give the Hillcats a 3-1 lead.

 

Pelicans reliever Chris Vines replaced Tommy Hanson in the sixth inning and pitched extremely well through three innings of work.  He surrendered just a single hit and no runs, while striking out three and walking none.   

 

The Hillcats used three pitchers to quell the Pelicans bats.  Starter Tony Watson picked up the win in 5.1 solid innings of work.  Jeff Sues took the ball in middle relief and did not allow a hit in 1.2 innings.  In the final two innings, Eric Krebs survived the Ernesto Mejia home run to pick up his second save of the season.

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