Hillcats Pummel Keys in Opener
June 24, 2019 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release
LYNCHBURG, VA. - The Lynchburg Hillcats (36-36, 4-1) powered three, two-run home runs to take an 11-5 victory over the Frederick Keys (30-44, 1-4) on Monday night at City Stadium. The Keys tied the game 4-4 in the third inning on a sacrifice fly from Ryan Ripken, but Nolan Jones slugged a two-run shot to take the lead and the Hillcats never looked back. Jones finished a triple shy of the cycle with four RBIs, four runs and a pair of walks, while Mitch Reeves also had four RBIs. Ripken finished 2-for-2 with a home run and three RBIs.
The Keys offense came out swinging against Cody Morris, tallying four-line drive base hits, including a Ripken RBI single. With the bases loaded, Jonathan Laureano made an outstanding play at third to rob Jomar Reyes of a hit, but the Keys score a run on the play. They made it 3-0 after a wild pitch brought a runner home.
The Hillcats answered right back. Blaine Knight walked the first two batters of the inning and Jones rocked a double to dead-center to score a run and put runners at second and third. Sean Miller made an outstanding play on a groundball to short to get Reeves out but the runner at third scored to make it 3-2. Jodd Carter then hammered a two-run home run off the scoreboard to take a 4-3 lead.
After Ripken tied it and Jones slugged the go-ahead home run, Knight (0-4) lost control. He walked three of the next four batters to load the bases and Oscar Gonzalez hit a swinging bunt to make it 7-4 Hillcats. Luis Perez came in relief after that and walked Jones to push the deficit to 8-4. He then got Reeves to bounce into a double-play to end the inning.
Knight allowed a career-high eight runs on six hits (two home runs, one double) and allowed a career-high five walks.
Ripken blasted his fourth home run of the season in the fifth, and the Keys next two batters climbed aboard to knock Morris out of the game. Anderson Polanco then walked the bases loaded but Frederick failed to score, leaving the inning trialing 8-5.
In the seventh, Reeves hit a two-run bomb after Perez walked Jones to lead off the inning. In the eighth, it was Reeves' RBI double that pushed the lead to 11-5.
Morris (1-0) picked up the win in his Carolina League debut. He gave up five runs (four earned) on eight hits, walked two and struck out a pair in 5.1 innings.
Perez lasted three innings in relief and allowed a pair of runs on two walks and two hits.
The Keys and Hillcats square off again on Tuesday, June 25. LHP DL Hall (2-3, 4.03) will start for Frederick opposite LHP Kirk McCarty (0-1, 5.40). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30pm. Fans can listen to the game at frederickkeys.com or on the TuneIn app with pregame coverage starting at 6:15pm.
The Frederick Keys are the Advanced-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, and play their home games at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium. Following the 2018 season, the Keys were named the winner of the Carolina League's Complete Franchise Award. This goes to a team in the league which demonstrates franchise stability and significant contributions to its community and the league. In 2019, the team will host the Carolina League All-Star Classic presented by Visit Frederick. For more information about the Frederick Keys please contact Geoff Arnold by phone at (301)-815-9915 or by emailing at GArnold@FrederickKeys.com.
Carolina League Stories from June 24, 2019
- Carolina Drops Series Opener 5-4 to Down East - Carolina Mudcats
- Woodies Strike Early, Hold On Late For Win Over Carolina - Down East Wood Ducks
- Woodpeckers Survive Rain and Red Sox to Win Fifth Straight - Fayetteville Woodpeckers
- Trio of Homers Lifts Hillcats Past Keys in Series Opener - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Hillcats Pummel Keys in Opener - Frederick Keys
- Stiever Shines in Debut to Lead Dash Past Pelicans - Winston-Salem Dash
- Pelicans Fall in Series Opener to Winston-Salem - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- [P-Nats Media] Potomac and Wilmington Postponed in Woodbridge - Potomac Nationals
- June 24 - Carolina Mudcats Game Information - Carolina Mudcats
- Winston-Salem Dash: Game Notes (June 24 vs. Myrtle Beach) - Winston-Salem Dash
- RHP Tyler Peyton promoted to Double-A Tennessee from Myrtle Beach - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Myrtle Beach Pelicans Game Notes: June 24 at Winston-Salem - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- June 24 Transactions and Game Information - Down East Wood Ducks
- P-Nats Partner with Velocity Urgent Care on Radar Gun at Northwest Federal Field at Pfitzner Stadium - Potomac Nationals
- Noah Zavolas Named Carolina League Pitcher of the Week - Carolina Mudcats
- OF Travis Moniot placed on the Dash's injured list - Winston-Salem Dash
- Bradley Makes MLB Debut, Becomes 177th Hillcat to Make Majors - Lynchburg Hillcats
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
