Winston-Salem Warthogs Defeat Lynchburg Hillcats 7-6 - Advanced A,Carolina League

MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com – WINSTON-SALEM, NC - After rolling to a five-run lead after four innings, the Winston-Salem Warthogs needed an outstanding defensive play in the ninth to preserve a 7-6 win over Lynchburg on Tuesday night at Ernie Shore Field.  Down a run entering the final frame, Hillcats infielder Angel Gonzalez reached on an error to start the inning.  Next, Jim Negrych, the Carolina League’s top hitter, laced a shot down the third base line of Kanekoa Texeira that was plucked off the dirt by a diving Javier Colina.  The Warthogs third baseman jumped to his feet a fired to first to double off Gonzalez to end the threat and protect the Winston-Salem’s third consecutive win
The Hillcats rattled Warthogs starting pitcher Matt Zaleski for two runs on just one hit in the first inning.  Brian Friday led off the game with a single and consecutive walks to Angel Gonzalez and Jim Negrych loaded the bases with no outs.  Back-to-back RBI sacrifice flies by Jamie Romak and Steve Lerud gave Lynchburg a 2-0 lead.

ADVERTISEMENT Winston-Salem split the deficit in there half of the first when Paulo Orlando led off with single and stole second base.  An errant throw by Hillcats starter Michael Crotta moved Orlando to third base.  Javier Colina floated a single down the left field line to bring Orlando home with the Warthogs first run.
The Warthogs took the lead in the third inning when Shelby singled and moved to third on a pair of stolen bases.  He scored on a fly ball by Colina to tie the game at two.  Later in the inning, Brandon Allen doubled to extend his hitting streak to 13 games and scored when Lee Cruz reached on an error by Hillcats first baseman Kent Sakamoto.
A two-out rally by Winston-Salem brought four runs across in the fourth inning as Colina and Salvador Sanchez notched RBI singles and Allen struck for a two-run double to extend the Warthogs lead to 7-2.
Lynchburg’s rally began with a run in the sixth inning when Warthogs reliever Steven Spurgeon walked Alex Presley with the bases loaded.  The Hillcats cut the deficit to one with a three spot in the eighth inning.  Jamie Romak led off with a towering solo blast off Noe Rodriguez, who was removed from the game due to injury after hitting the next batter with a pitch.  After a single by Steve Lerud put two runners on, Eddie Prasch lined a two run double off Texeira to bring the Hillcats within a run at 7-6.  
Texeira worked the final two innings to collect his sixth save of the season.  Zaleski (1-1) battled thru 5 2/3 innings and limited Lynchburg to three runs on three hits and five walks to earn his first win of the season.  Crotta (3-3) only lasted 3 2/3 for the Hillcats and surrendered six runs on seven hits to claim the loss.
Game three of this four-game series will take place on Wednesday afternoon at Ernie Shore Field.  The Warthogs are expected to start RHP Matt Long (2-2, 2.31) and the Hillcats will hand the ball to LHP Daniel Moskos (3-1, 3.72).  First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.

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