Gonzalez Lifts Keys to Second Walk-Off Win of 2016
June 4, 2016 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release
FREDERICK, Md. -Jay Gonzalez delivered an RBI walk-off single to right in the bottom of the 11th inning to lift the Frederick Keys to a 5-4 win on Saturday night at Nymeo Field. It was the club's second walk-off win of the season and came on the heels of four-run Mudcats ninth where the visitors erased a 4-0 deficit. Additionally, it was the Keys first extra-inning win of the season.
Facing hard-throwing Carlos Salazar in the 11th, Jonah Heim started the frame with a single to right. He would be replaced by pinch-runner Anthony Caronia, who moved up to second, after Salazar (1-2) mishandled a bunt back to the mound. Erick Salcedo then added a bunt single up the third base line to bring up Gonzalez. Already with two hits on the game, the Floridian added a third with a single that split the right-center alley. Entering the 11th inning, Salazar had allowed only five hits in 65 at-bats before surrendering three in the final stanza.
Carolina leveled the game in the ninth, as the visitors batted around against Tanner Scott and Mike Zouzalik. Stephen Gaylor opened the inning with an infield single and moved to second on a wild pitch. One batter later, Keith Curcio grounded a ball to second which Steve Wilkerson threw away to bring in Carolina's first run.
A walk and a second fielding error by Wilkerson proceeded to load the bases, before Scott struck out Jordan Edgerton. That sent up Reid Harper, who hit a soft double down the rightfield line to make it a one-run game. One batter later, Sal Giardina singled home the tying run off Zouzalik. In the ninth the Keys utilized a walk, a sacrifice bunt and a fielder's choice to get the winning run to third, but could not convert, setting the table for extra innings.
The four-run Muddies ninth meant a no-decision for Matthew Grimes who pitched seven shutout innings of three-hit baseball. He scattered three hits and struck out a season-high eight, while he pushed his scoreless innings streak to 28. Grimes set down the first 13 batters he faced.
Offensively, the Keys scored markers in three of the first four innings off Enderson Franco. Gonzalez opened the home first with a single, stole second, advanced to third on a Wilkerson flyout and then scored on a groundout by Cam Kneeland. Two innings later, Gonzalez and Kneeland collaborated on the club's second marker, as Kneeland doubled his teammate in from second. In the seventh, Kneeland added his third RBI, a single which plated Wilkerson from third. The Massachusetts native ended 2-for-5.
Josh Hart supplied the Keys third run in the fourth, with a double to left-center that brought in Jonah Heim. The Keys catcher went 3-for-5 with a run scored. Making his first pro relief appearance, Cory Jones (2-2) earned the win, tossing two scoreless innings of one-hit relief. Salazar allowed three hits and did not record and out in the 11th to suffer the loss.
Carolina League Stories from June 4, 2016
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- Pelicans Bounce Back with 6-2 Win against Potomac - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Four Run Comeback Falls Short as Mudcats Lose in Extras - Carolina Mudcats
- Gonzalez Lifts Keys to Second Walk-Off Win of 2016 - Frederick Keys
- Rocks and Dash Race to a Halt, Game Suspended at 2-2 in Eighth - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Salem Wins on Walk-Off Wild Pitch - Salem Red Sox
- Potomac Nationals 2016 Game Notes at Myrtle Beach - Potomac Nationals
- June 4 - Carolina Mudcats Game Information - Carolina Mudcats
- C David Sopilka Placed on DL - Salem Red Sox
- Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes (June 4 vs. Wilmington) - Winston-Salem Dash
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- Trevor Clifton Named Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Month - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
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