The Hillcats had to go to their bullpen early after starter Blaine Sims exited before the third inning. However, the bullpen pitched flawlessly, throwing seven scoreless innings, and led the Hillcats to a 6-1 win over the Wilmington Blue Rocks on Sunday night.
As they had for the first two games of the series, the Blue Rocks scored first.With two outs, John Whittelman hit an RBI single that scored Carlo Testa from third to put Wilmington ahead 1-0.
The Hillcats tied the game in the fourth inning. JoeLeonardled the inning off with a single, and Christian Bethancourt followed behind with a single of his own. Both were sacrificed over by Barrett Kleinknecht, and two batters later, Marcus Lemon singled out to left field to score Leonard and tie the game at one.
The Hillcats took the lead in the sixth. Joey Terdoslavich and Joe Leonard walked to lead off the inning. Christian Bethancourt popped up a bunt that fell between the pitcher and catcher, though since it hung up in the air, they were able to throw out Leonard at second. The next batter, Kleinknecht, singled home Terdoslavich to give the Hillcats a 2-1 lead.
The Hillcats got some insurance runs in the late innings. Joe Leonard brought home Andrelton Simmons on a two-out single to make the score 3-1.
Lynchburg scored three more in the eighth. Christian Bethancourt led off the inning with a long home run to left-center, his first home run in a Hillcats uniform. Keenan Wiley singled, and two batters later, Todd Cunningham brought him home with a triple. Cunningham scored too when Andrelton Simmons doubled, giving the Hillcats the 6-1 lead.
In the meantime, the Hillcats were getting a special night from their bullpen. Starter Blaine Sims exited the game after two innings with pain in his throwing elbow. Andrew Russell came into the game and threw four scoreless innings, a careerhigh four innings. Russell (2-1) gave up four hits in those four innings and worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning.
Jeremy Haynes pitched a perfect seventh inning, and Ryan Buchter pitched a scoreless two innings to earn his 12th save of the year.
Blue Rocks starter Tyler Sample took the loss to fall to 6-10 this season.
The Hillcats won their third straight series, the first time they’ve won that many in a row this season, and are now 17-25 in the second half. The Blue Rocks fell to 16-26.
Lynchburg stays at home as the Kinston Indians come into town Monday night to start a three-game set. The first game will see lefty Chris Masters (7-5) face fellow southpaw T.J. House (6-9). First pitch is at 7:05 pm and the gates will open at 6.
The Hillcats On-Deck Show presented by Honda/ Suzuki of Lynchburg will go on the air at 6:40 pm. Tune in to 105.5 KD Country or go to lynchburg- hillcats.com to listen live to all the action.
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