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Cleveland affiliates have struggled lately, so perhaps it was a blessing in disguise that three of the four full-season squads had their games rained out on Wednesday.
Lynchburg Hillcats 2, Salem Red Sox 3 (F/11)
Box Score · Hillcats fall to 14-10
The Lynchburg offense may not have been impressive Wednesday, but the pitching was phenomenal.
Daniel Espino began the game with five stellar shutout innings of work. He struck out five batters and walked four while surrendering six hits. He notably was still hitting 101 mph in the fifth inning. Sustaining his velocity deeper into starts will be a big factor in his continued advancement of prospect status.
#Indians 20yr old RHP prospect Daniel Espino dominate again sitting 98-99 while touching 101 multiple times for (Low A) Lynchburg vs Salem tonight. Espino lowers his ERA to 2.01 w/ the 5 scoreless innings.
— Indians Prospective (@indiansPro) June 3, 2021
Line - 5.0(IP) 6H 0R 0ER 4BB 5SO@Daniel24Espino @LynHillcats #OurCLE pic.twitter.com/j5JgL0J0gJ
Espino was followed by three terrific innings out of the bullpen by Randy Labaut. Labaut struck out six and allowed just one hit while walking three in his scoreless outing.
The game remained scoreless until the ninth inning, where they traded runs. In extra innings, where, with the runner on second base to begin each frame, both teams continued to trade runs. Unfortunately, Lynchburg was unable to tie the game in the bottom of the 11th inning.
There wasn't much to speak of offensively for the Hillcats. Angel Martinez went 1-for-4 and was intentionally walked. Cody Farhat also went 1-for-2 with a double and a walk.