Hillcats’ last seven batters strike out in 11-inning loss

The Lynchburg Hillcats continued their struggles at the plate in key situations and Wilmington continued its dominance over the Hillcats this season with a 5-3 11-inning victory at City Stadium on Wednesday.

In the first three games of the four-game series against the Blue Rocks, Lynchburg is a combined 5-for-39 at the plate with runners in scoring position.

Even when the Hillcats tied the game 3-3 in the bottom of the eighth, the run was scored on a wild pitch by Wilmington pitcher Barry Bowden.

Trailing 3-2, Jamie Romak and Matt Hague led off the inning with singles to left for Lynchburg. Alex Pressley, pinch running for Romak, went to third and Hague to second on a wild pitch by Bowden. After Bowden struck out Kris Watts, he intentionally walked Jared Keel to load the bases and set up a double-play, but the hurler uncorked a second wild pitch that allowed Pressley to score, Hague to advance to third and Keel to second.

But Kent Sakamoto couldn’t come through with runners on second and third and one out as he tapped a one-hop ground ball back to the pitcher. Bowden fired home to get Hague at the plate and catcher Ryan Eigsti gunned-down Keel at third base to end the inning. Hillcats manager, P.J. Forbes, argued with the bases umpire, Kolin Kline, for several minutes after being ejected from the game almost as soon as he left the dugout.

The game remained tied at 3-3 until the top of the 11th inning when Wilmington’s Clint Robinson drew a one-out walk and Jamar Walton had a two-out single to set up Mike Moustakas’ two-run, two-out single off Lynchburg reliever Moises Robles, who fell to 0-2 on the season.

But, the Blue Rocks bullpen was lights-out. Wilmington relievers Lois Coleman, Bowden and Kelvin Villa combined to throw five innings, allow one run, three hits and struck out nine batters. Seven of the last nine Hillcats struck out. The last seven Lynchburg batters struck out swinging.

Bowden improved to 2-0 on the season and Villa picked up his second save.

Hillcats starting pitcher Jeff Locke had his excellent effort wasted. Locke worked six innings, allowed six hits, one run and struck out five batters.

The Blue Rocks (76-51) improved their record to 14-5 over the Hillcats this season and have won their last eight games against Lynchburg. Wilmington has won six of the nine games played at City Stadium and will be looking to complete a four-game sweep of the Hillcats (69-59) today in Lynchburg.