Paints Top Half Trax 4-2 Tuesday

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Chillicothe Paints, presented by CohenOrthopedic, built a 4-0 lead throughout the first half of Tuesday's game at Champion City, holding on for a 4-2 win at Carleton Davidson Stadium.

The Paints pitching staff picked up where it left of Sunday, throwing seven scoreless innings to start the game and running their scoreless inning streak to 14. 

Meanwhile, Chillicothe (9-4, 21-19) got to work offensively. Gabe Pitts drove in the game's first run on a two-out single in the top of the second inning. The Paints added two in the third, scoring on a wild pitch and a two-out single by Michael Simone. They made it 4-0 on sacrifice to left field in the sixth. 

Isaac Bellamy started the game for the Paints, holding Champion City scoreless on three hits over 4.1 innings. He struck out four and walked four.

Cameron Birch (2-1) entered with runners on the corners and one out in the fifth. After a Half Trax runner was thrown out trying to steal second by Mitchel Szymczak, Birch struck out Nate Lloyd to end the inning. The righ-handed pitcher then retired the Half Trax in four batters in the seventh. 

Brady Boltinghouse came on in the seventh, getting the leadoff batter to fly out and, after giving up a hit, struck out the last two Champion City batters. After allowing a leadoff single in the eighth, Boltinghouse surrendered a two-run home run to Dane Perry, cutting the Chillicothe lead to 4-2. Dylan Lloyd came on and finished the game, retiring the next six batters, striking out three and secruing his second save of the season.

Justin Gorski and Pitts each had two-hit nights, while Gravelle, Simone and Pitts each drove in a run. Brady Groves extended his hitting streak to 14 games and his on-base streak to 17.

The Paints return to VA Memorial Stadium in Chillicothe Wednesday to host the Clinton LumberKings at 7:05 p.m. It's Winning Wednesday and lucky scorecard holders will win free gas from The Old Canal Stop. It's also 3-2-1 Night: $3 burgers, $2 hot dogs and $1 popcorn throughout the game. Tickets can be purchased in advance at tickets.chillicothepaints.com or at the stadium ticket office beginning one hour prior to first pitch.