Lynchburg takes Carolina League Championship

Jenifer Langosch/MLB.com

Behind a 4-for-5 night form shortstop Jordy Mercer, the Lynchburg Hillcats sealed a Carolina League Championship series sweep with an 8-7 win over the Salem Red Sox on Thursday night.

Mercer had two doubles, drove in two and scored once in the win, which was highlighted by the Hillcats’ six-run second inning. Outfielder Jamie Romak finished 3-for-4 with three RBIs, while second baseman Chase D’Arnaud drove in two.

The win went to Michael Colla, who pitched 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. Jeff Locke, one of three players acquired in June for Nate McLouth, allowed four runs on six hits and lasted just 1 2/3 innings in his start. The Red Sox scored twice in the sixth and once in the ninth to pull within one, but reliever Ronald Uviedo sealed the win and collected the save.

Follow me on Twitter: @LangoschMLB