CarL1 Frederick Keys

Hillcats Homers Overwhelm Keys

Published on July 26, 2010 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release


The Lynchburg Hillcats scored five runs in the first inning as they took game one of the three-game series against Frederick, 7-4. Keys' starting pitcher, LHP Nathan Moreau, surrendered four homeruns in the contest, the most of any Frederick pitcher in 2010.

Moreau, who entered Monday's game 3-0 with a 1.89 ERA in first three starts in the Carolina League, allowed the first five batters he faced to score before he registered an out. Following a double by 2B Cody Puckett and single by SS Brodie Greene, DH Neftali Soto belted his 15th homerun of the season to give Lynchburg a three-run lead. After a single by CF Denis Phips, 1B Chris Richburg hit a blast that gave the Hillcats a five-run advantage before Frederick even came to the plate.

Lynchburg's Denis Phipps hit a solo shot in the top of the third to give Lynchburg a 6-0 lead. The Keys plated their first run in the bottom of the third inning but had a chance to score a bunch more. After a RBI single by CF Kyle Hudson brought home SS Bobby Stevens, RF Ronnie Welty walked to bring 3B Billy Rowell to the plate. With the bases loaded, Rowell hit a bouncing ball down the third baseline. 3B Shane Carlson made a diving play, quickly jumped to his feet, touched third base for the force out and tossed the ball over to first to complete the double play.

After making the inning ending play in the field, Carlson led off the inning with a solo homerun, his first homer of the year and Lynchburg's fourth of the game.

Nathan Moreau left the game after 3.2 innings of work. He allowed seven runs on seven hits while striking out five and walking one.

The Keys put together a rally but it was not enough. With one out, SS Bobby Stevens, LF Xavier Avery, and CF Kyle Hudson hit back-to-back-to-back doubles that scored two runs. Following the Hudson double, RHP James Avery was lifted from the game for RHP Nick Christiani. Ronnie Welty hit a RBI single to center off Christiani. Welty tried to advance to second on the throw home by Denis Phipps but C Jordan Wideman tossed out Welty at second base.

Frederick trailed by three after seven but would not get any closer.

LHP Donnie Joseph struck out the side in the ninth as he picked up his eleventh save of the year for Lynchburg. James Avery improved to 6-3 on the year while Nathan Moreau fell to 3-1.

In the loss, Keys' relief pitchers, John Mariotti, Brett Bordes, and Josh Dowdy combined to throw 5.1 scoreless innings out of the Frederick bullpen.

Frederick and Lynchburg play game two of the three-game series on Tuesday night in Frederick, MD. RHP Ryan Berry (2-1, 2.67) will start for the Keys while the Hillcats will send RHP Chase Ware (0-2, 3.66). First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. on Volt Night at Harry Grove Stadium.

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Carolina League Stories from July 26, 2010


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