Paints Beat Rhythm 21-7

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio - The Chillicothe Paints, presented by CohenOrthopedic, have won back-to-back games for the first time this season after a 21-7 victory over the Full Count Rhythm Wednesday night at VA Memorial Stadium. The game ended after the top of the seventh per the Prospect League's mercy rule.

After sending 14 batters to the plate in the first inning, Chillicothe (4-2) led 9-0. After 12 Paints went to the plate in the second inning, it was 16-0.

It stayed that way until the top of the fifth, when the Rhythm scored their first two runs, knocking Paints starter Garrett Helsel out of the game after 4 1/3 innings. Helsel allowed just those two runs on five hits while walking three and striking out five en-route to his second win of the season.

The Rhythm plated three more in the top of the sixth, cutting the Paints' lead to 16-5.

Chillicothe answered with six runs in the bottom of the sixth, getting sacrifice flies from Felix Polanco and Trevor Coltenback, an RBI double from Ty Hatfield and a two-run home run from pinch hitter Samuel Fabian, making it 21-5.

Full Count scored two more in the top of the seventh to cap the scoring at 21-7, triggering the Prospect League mercy rule with the Paints up by more than 10.

Six Paints had multi-hit nights, including a 3-for-4 night by Coltenback and a 4-for-5 effort by Hatfield. Eight Chillicothe batters tallied at least one RBI, with Coltenback driving in three and Hatfield four.

The 21 runs is the most by the Paints, or any other team in the Prospect League, this season, as are the 17 hits.

The Paints go for the three-game sweep of the Rhythm Thursday night at VA Memorial Stadium at 7:05 p.m. It's Thirsty Thursday, with domestic drafts being just $2.