Hillcats storm to win

By Andy Bitter

Published: June 22, 2008

With the all-star break just innings away and the Hillcats rolling to an easy victory, storm clouds perched on the horizon, ready to soak away a perfectly good Sunday afternoon and delay what to that point had been a quick game.

“A lot of people had flights at 6 o’clock,” said Lynchburg outfielder Jamie Romak, one of the few Hillcats not heading out of town for the next few days. “When the umpire went to (the field manager), we’re like, ‘Aw, man.’”

Some rain came but not enough to pull the tarp. It was the only drama in Lynchburg’s 11-2 romp against Myrtle Beach.

The Hillcats (2-4), who have been victimized by the big inning lately, turned the tables on their opponents, using a seven-run fifth to roll to their second straight win and head into the three-day all-star break on an upswing.

Lynchburg’s fifth inning set season records for most runs scored (7) and most batters sent to the plate (11).

With the Hillcats already up 2-0, Romak ripped a two-run double to center off Myrtle Beach reliever Tyler Wilson to start the scoring. Three batters later, Kris Watts blooped a two-run double to shallow center, in between three fielders.

James Barksdale — the 10th batter of the inning — capped the rally, crushing a bases-loaded triple to right-center that made it 9-0.

“The last two games are hopefully indicative of what we can do if everything falls together,” said Romak, who was 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs.

The long inning was about the only thing that hindered Lynchburg starter Tony Watson (5-8).

Though he said he didn’t have his best stuff while warming up, the left-hander was spot on once things got underway, cruising through five scoreless innings and matching a season high by striking out seven for the second straight start. He has 19 strikeouts in his last 18 2/3 innings.

“I’m not doing anything different,” Watson said. “I’m just trying to locate my fastball and keep the same arm action and same delivery with my offspeed pitches. And I think that’s helped a little bit.”

His only trouble came in the sixth. After sitting on the bench for more than 20 minutes while the Hillcats batted around in the fifth, he gave up back-to-back doubles to start what would be a two-run inning for the Pelicans (3-3).

“It’s a good thing for our offense, but … it’s just a big momentum killer from the pitching side,” Watson said.

Kevin Roberts earned his fifth save by throwing three effective innings of relief. He struck out one and didn’t allow a run.

Myrtle Beach starter Ryne Reynoso (6-5), an all-star, took the loss, giving up two runs on four hits in four innings.

Afterward, it was a race out the door. Lynchburg’s clubhouse emptied quickly, with nearly half the team heading out of town for the three off days.

It’s a nice break for everyone involved.

“Even in the offseason, you’re working on baseball, you’re working out,” Romak said. “Very rarely do you come upon two or three days where you can just say, ‘You know what? I’m just going to take a breather. I’m not even going to think about baseball.’

“It’s nice to have some sort of normalcy where we can just get away from the game and refresh.”

Notes:

LHP Charles Benoit has been sent to Low-A Hickory. Considered a rising prospect prior to the season, Benoit struggled with the Hillcats, posting an 0-4 record and a 14.66 ERA in 14 appearances. … Watts, starting for Steve Lerud behind the plate for the third straight game, was 2-for-5 with three RBIs. … Barksdale was 3-for-5 with four RBIs and a steal. … Tuesday’s all-star game in Myrtle Beach will feature just one Hillcat — third baseman Jim Negrych.