Eibner's Grand Slam Undoes Keys
Published on May 11, 2012 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release
FREDERICK, MD - A grand slam home run from Brett Eibner in the fifth inning gave the Wilmington Blue Rocks a lead they never relinquished, as they downed the Keys 6-5 Friday night at Harry Grove Stadium in front of an overflow crowd 9,279 fans.
For the Keys, they've now lost seven of their past eight games and hold the Carolina League's worst record at 10-20. At home, the Keys have gone 2-10 in their past 12 games and hold just a 5-13 record overall at Harry Grove Stadium.
With the Keys holding a 3-1 lead entering the fifth inning, Eibner's grand slam changed the game. With two outs, Whit Merrifield reached second on a double and then back-to-back walks loaded the bases. Starting pitcher Scott Copeland then hit the next batter, Brian Fletcher, to force in a run. With the bases still loaded, that's when Brett Eibner went the distance, hitting a grand slam homerun over the left field wall to give Wilmington a 6-3 lead, one they held throughout.
The Keys have now allowed grand slams in back-to-back games, surrendering one yesterday to the Winston-Salem Dash in their 11-7 loss.
Scott Copeland (1-3, 5.91 ERA) was charged with the loss, giving up all six runs in the game. Greg Billo (3-3, 5.35 ERA) gets the win for Wilmington.
The Keys had the lead early when back in the first, Aaron Baker, who returned to the lineup after missing the past four games with injury, drilled a pitch over the right field fence for a two-run homerun to provide a 2-1 lead for the Keys.
Ty Kelly gave the Keys a two-run cushion two innings later when he hit his third homerun of the year - and second in as many days - to make the score 3-1.
Yet the lead would not last. The fifth inning brought five runs to the plate for Wilmington thanks in part to Eibner's grand slam.
The Keys would try and get their way back into the game, getting a run in the sixth on a Mike Flacco RBI fielder's choice. A solo homerun from Matt Sweeney in the ninth brought the Keys to within one, but that's as close as they would get.
The Keys will look to even their series against Wilmington on Saturday night. First pitch is at 6 PM and another sellout crowd is expected. RHP Mike Wright (4-1, 2.62 ERA) gets the start for the Keys and he'll face RHP Yordano Ventura (0-3, 4.10 ERA) for Wilmington.
Live coverage starts at 5:40 PM on 1450 AM The Source and online at WTHU.org.
Carolina League Stories from May 11, 2012
- Red Sox Outlast Pelicans 5-3 in 14 Innings - Salem Red Sox
- Mudcats Score Early, Wallop Nationals - Carolina Mudcats
- Eibner's Grand Slam Undoes Keys - Frederick Keys
- Seven Run First Propels Carolina over Potomac 9-2 - Potomac Nationals
- Eibner Slams Rocks to Victory - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- 'Cats Score in Eight Frames to Best Dash - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Hillcats Best Dash in First-Place Battle - Winston-Salem Dash
- Pelicans Announce Second Annual Art Contest - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Mudcats Game Notes - May 11 - Carolina Mudcats
- All-Star Game Tickets Go on Sale Monday - Winston-Salem Dash
- RHP Leroy Hunt promoted to Double-A Birmingham - Winston-Salem Dash
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