Hillcats searching for offense

Thursday’s 10-run outburst at Winston-Salem seems like an anomaly for the Hillcats, who have scored four runs or fewer in seven of their nine second-half games. Friday night was no different, as non-descript Winston-Salem southpaw Justin Edwards held Lynchburg in check for seven innings in a 5-1 Dash victory at City Stadium.

Lynchburg has scored two or fewer runs in five of those games, so yes, there’s still a bit of a post-Pedro Alvarez and Miles Durham hangover at the ballpark. It’s not something manager P.J. Forbes is willing to accept. Nor will the players, who certainly don’t want to use the lack of two top bats from the first half as an excuse for continued poor run production.

“We’ve got good players,” said Hillcats first baseman Matt Hague, who had three of Lynchburg’s six hits Friday and has hit 16-for-33 in the second half to raise his average from .279 to .312. “Basically, we’ve got to keep stringing it together a little. … There’s an opportunity for others. We’ve got new guys who are exciting to watch. We’ve still got to play the game the same way.”

Undoubtedly, there was a comfort level for some players with the feared Alvarez hitting third and Durham hitting fifth in the Lynchburg lineup. With those two up at Double-A Altoona now, the lineup has shifted. Newcomer Chase d’Arnaud is still getting a feel for hitting leadoff. Jordy Mercer, who hit second for much of the year, is adjusting to hitting third. Another new piece — Eric Fryer — arrived Thursday and hit fifth for the second straight night after spending most of the season at the Yankees’ High-A affiliate in Tampa hitting second.

Edwards, a third-round draft choice in 2006, missed all of last year following Tommy John surgery. He earned a mid-season promotion from Low-A Kannapolis after going 4-3 with a 3.80 ERA but struggled in his first two starts in the Carolina League. He was coming off an ugly June 28 turn against Potomac in which he allowed seven hits and eight runs (five earned) in four innings. He was much better Friday, allowing just four hits and an earned run in seven innings.

“He was just mixing it really well,” Hague said. “Lots of fastballs in and changeups away. He pounded the outer half, and when he can do that, you kind of have to tip your cap to him.”

The Hillcat offense was forced into press mode early Friday, as Winston-Salem tagged Hillcats starter Matt McSwain for five hits and three runs in the first inning.

The outburst was a shock to McSwain, who hadn’t allowed three earned runs in a start since May 7.

“Just not being very aggressive,” he said. “I guess nibble would be the right word. I wasn’t aggressive and getting ahead of hitters. When you get behind, it’s easier for hitters to be aggressive and get after those fastballs.”

McSwain (7-4) performed admirably after the first, limiting the Dash to four hits in the next four innings.

After the game, the Pirates promoted utility infielder Ray Chang to Altoona. Chang performed well in spot duty this season, playing four different infield positions and hitting .303 with nine doubles and 28 RBIs in 122 at-bats. Forbes said no corresponding roster move will be made at this time.