LYNCHBURG, VA - The Wilson Warbirds took an early 3-0 lead, but could not hold on, falling 12-5 to the Hill City Howlers on Wednesday night at Bank of the James Stadium.
Wilson (53-48, 17-18 second half) got things started in the top of the second inning. Jose Anderson drew a bases-loaded walk to give the Warbirds an early 1-0 advantage. The lead grew when Filippo Di Turi’s sacrifice fly scored Rylan Mills. Frederi Montero also drove in a run in the second, giving Wilson a 3-0 lead.
Ahead 3-1 in the third, Hill City (44-60, 13-25 second half) tied the game at three on a two-run double from Jonathan Martinez.
A Dauri Fernandez triple in the fourth handed the Howlers a 4-3 lead. The deficit ballooned for Wilson when Victor Izturis cleared the bases with a three-run double in the sixth to make it 9-3 Hill City.
Brailyn Antunez cut into the lead slightly with a solo home run in the eighth, his second in as many days, but it was not enough for the Warbirds, who fell 12-5.
Carlos Carra (L, 3-9) was the losing pitcher for Wilson. Miguel Flores (W, 6-6) took the win for Hill City.
The North Division rivals clash again tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. LHP Enderson Mercado (4-7, 7.91) toes the rubber for the Warbirds against RHP Will Hynes (0-3, 6.05).