Keys Back in Win Column, Win 3-2
Published on April 14, 2012 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release
WILMINGTON, DE - A night after coughing up four runs in the bottom of the ninth to lose, the Keys held strong late in the game to preserve their lead and walk away with a 3-2 win over the Wilmington Blue Rocks.
With the Keys up 3-1 entering the bottom of the ninth, Brett Eibner led things off with a triple. Two batters later, Guelin Beltre brought him home with an RBI infield single to bring the Blue Rocks to within one. Yet a big strikeout from Keys pitcher Chris Petrini, who was brought on to close the game, and then a fly ball out brought the game to an end, putting the Keys back in the win column to end their three game losing streak.
Petrini gets the save while starting pitcher Mike Wright gets his second win of the year. Wright, who went five innings giving up just one earned run on four hits, four strikeouts and two walks, now has an ERA of 0.82 through two starts.
The Keys move to 4-4 while Wilmington drops to 3-5.
For the Keys, they took the lead in the fourth inning and never looked back. Tied at one, Mike Flacco got on board with a leadoff walk. A single from Kipp Schutz brought him to third and was eventually brought home with a sacrifice fly from Matt Sweeney to give the Keys a 2-1 lead.
An insurance run from Joe Oliveira, who was scored after Wilmington botched a double play, proved to be the difference as the run put the Keys up 3-1, enough to survive Wilmington's comeback.
Wilmington got on the board in the first inning when White Merrifield led the game off with a double. Two batters later, Cheslor Cuthbert brought him home on an RBI groundout as the Blue Rocks took an early 1-0 lead.
It wouldn't last long as in the very next inning, Matt Sweeney smacked a double to bring in the Keys' first run to even the score at one apiece.
From there, the Keys took the lead and closed the game out in the ninth successfully to bring them back to .500 on the year.
The Keys look to take the series from Wilmington at 1:35 PM when Rick Zagone (1-0, 3.60 ERA) makes his first start of the year against Greg Billo (0-1, 5.40 ERA).
Coverage starts at 1:15 on 1450 AM The Source and online at wthu.org.
Carolina League Stories from April 14, 2012
- Mudcats bats break through to even set - Winston-Salem Dash
- Mudcats Pull Away from Dash - Carolina Mudcats
- Rocks' Ninth Inning Comeback Falls Just Shy - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Hillcats Hold on in 6-4 Win - Hill City Howlers
- Salem Survives Myrtle's Comebacks, Prevails 8-6 - Salem RidgeYaks
- [p-Nats Media] 'Cats Scratch out Victory Over P-Nats 6-4 - Potomac Nationals
- Myrtle Beach Drops First Road Game, 8-6, at Salem - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Keys Back in Win Column, Win 3-2 - Frederick Keys
- Pelicans Fans Can Skip Lines, Buy Tickets Online - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Hill City Howlers
- Mudcats Game Notes - April 14 - Carolina Mudcats
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