The second-half Northern Division-leading Wilmington Blue Rocks continued to roll over the first-half champion Lynchburg Hillcats with a 7-2 Carolina League victory at City Stadium on Thursday.
The only drama involved in the game after the Blue Rocks (77-51) claimed a 7-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning was whether or not Wilmington’s starting pitcher, Alex Caldera, would give up a hit.
Caldera allowed just a pair of walks through the first six innings.
Lynchburg’s Jamie Romak finally put an end to the potential no-hitter with one out in the seventh on a blooper that was nearly caught by a pair of Blue Rocks.
Romak’s flare to shallow right-center field had Wilmington second baseman Johnny Giavotella retreating with his back to home plate and right fielder Nick Van Stratten charging toward Giavotella.
At the last second, Giavotella stuck his glove out to attempt an over-the–shoulder catch, but the ball hit off the end his glove and bounced briefly into the air before landing teasingly close to Van Stratten’s feet.
Romak hustled into second base for a double, but Lynchburg continued to struggle with runners in scoring position by going 0-for-2 on Thursday.
The Hillcats were a combined 5-for-41 with runners in scoring position during the four-game series against the Blue Rocks.
Caldera (5-10) went eight innings, allowed a hit, three walks and struck out two in picking up the victory.
Lynchburg (69-60) finally got on the scoreboard when Jordy Mercer singled and scored on Matt Hague’s two-run homer to left field in the ninth off of reliever Zach Peterson.
Harrison Bishop worked three scoreless innings in relief for the Hillcats. Starting pitcher Justin Wilson (6-8) took the loss, lasting just four innings and surrendering four runs.
Both Mike Moustakas and Clint Robinson drove in a pair runs while Derrick Robinson and Anthony Seratelli scored a pair of runs for Wilmington.
Wilmington, the Hillcats’ most likely opponent at this point for the first round of the playoffs, now has won 12 of its last 13 games against Lynchburg, including a current nine-game winning streak.
Lynchburg has the Carolina League’s worst second-half record at 24-36 and is on a six-game losing streak after posting a league-best 45 wins in the first half.
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