NORTH AUGUSTA, SC: The GreenJackets scored six runs in the second inning Wednesday night, an advantage that proved overwhelming as the Hillcats could not overcome the differential and fell 9-6 to the home side.
On paper, the night presented a significant challenge for the GreenJackets, as Augusta was not only facing the best team in the league in Lynchburg, but also facing a starter in Melkis Hernandez that had not taken a loss since April 9th.
Hernandez’s pedigree paled to Augusta’s bats, however, as Augusta tagged him for a half dozen runs and pushed him out in less than two frames.
The second inning began fortuitously, as Colby Jones reached on a leadoff error from Alberto Mendez. From there, the bottom of the order cracked four straight hits, including RBI knocks from Douglas Glod, Colin Burgess, and Roiber Niazoa.
Luis Sanchez reached on a run-scoring error from Hernandez himself, and Owen Carey sealed the frame with a huge two-run triple to force Hernandez from the game.
The Hillcats were kept at bay through three innings, but slashed the deficit in the 4th against Justin Militello in his Single-A debut. Militello lived on the edge early, dodging spotty command to post zeroes, but ran into difficulties the second time through.
Luis Merejo led off with a single, and an E5 doubled the threat. A one-out walk loaded the bases, and Militello balked in a run. Militello would hit Chris Espinola for another run, and gave up an RBI grounder before escaping further damage.
The GreenJackets responded in kind, scoring three runs off of a pair of relievers in the immediate aftermath. Isaiah Drake lifted a sac fly in the bottom of the 4th to score John Gil and get one run back, and Glod and Sanchez each brought home runs in the 5th to bring the lead back up to six through six innings.
The back end of the ballgame brought some concerns, as Lynchburg loaded the bags in both the 7th and 8th against the bullpen. Seth Keller got two strikes and two outs with two on in the 7th, but hit Merejo to load the bags and end his night.
Reibyn Corona was able to punch out Bennett Thompson and end the threat, but walked the bases full himself the next inning. It was Albert Rivas’ turn to play fireman, and Lynchburg scored just one run in the two big chances.
Rivas did not sail smoothly through the 9th, as he allowed four hits and two runs to bring the tying run to the plate with two outs. Alberto Mendez gave him a good fight, but rolled over to first base and stranded two as Augusta grabbed its second straight win at home to start the week.
The GreenJackets are one game back of Columbia, and tied with Charleston in the South Division with one game remaining in the half. In order to make the playoffs for the first time since 2019, Augusta must win Thursday night, June 19, and have Columbia lose to the Carolina Mudcats on the road.
The Jackets have the tiebreaker over both contenders, but do not control their own destiny. Owen Hackman takes the ball in the biggest start of the year, at 7:05 p.m. at SRP Park.
