CarL1 Frederick Keys

Keys Break Skid Against Avalanche, Win 8-7 in 10 Innings

Published on May 14, 2003 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release


Losers of five straight to the Salem Avalanche (18-19) this season, including the first two games of their current four-game series, the Frederick Keys (16-21) finally broke through against the Avalanche, recording a 8-7, 10-inning victory before 1,553 fans at Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium on Wednesday, May 14. The victory snaps the Keys two-game losing streak.

First baseman Mike Huggins hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning to score shortstop Gary Cates from third base and give the Keys the go-ahead run. Right-handed reliever Richard Bartlett (2-2) pitched a scoreless 10th inning to pick up the save, his first of the season.

The Keys led 7-4 going into the 9th inning and looked to have things under control with right-handed closer Sendy Rleal coming into the game. But Rleal gave up a walk to Avalanche right fielder Brandon Caraway with one out. A balk by Rleal moved Caraway to second and a wild pitch sent the runner to third base. After a foul out by second baseman Brooks Conrad, third baseman Trevor Mote hit a RBI base hit to cut the lead to two runs. Catcher Hector Gimenez followed with a two-run, two out home run to tie the game at 7 and send it into extra innings.

Despite giving up the tying runs in the 9th inning, right-handed reliever Sendy Rleal (3-1) picked up his third victory of the year. Avalanche reliever Chris Sampson (0-1) pitched 1.2 innings to get the loss, his first of the season.

The Keys looked to have control of the game when they scored three runs in the 8th inning to take a 7-4 lead. Center fielder Woody Cliffords doubled in a run and first baseman Mike Huggins followed with a two RBI base hit to give the Keys a three-run lead.

The Keys scored three runs in the 2nd inning, two of those coming on a two-run home run by left fielder Patrick O'Sullivan, his second home run of the season and first with the Keys. First baseman Hugh Quattlebaum followed later in the inning with a RBI sacrifice fly and catcher Ryan Hubele hit a RBI base hit to give the Keys a 4-1 lead.

Salem scored a run on a RBI base hit by Gimenez in the 6th inning and tied the game up in the 7th inning on a force play at second that scored a run and an error on Cates trying to turn the double play that resulted in another run being scored.

The final game in the four-game series with the Avalanche will see right-handed pitcher Nick McCurdy (0-0, 4.15 ERA) get his second start of the season for the Keys. The Avalanche will start left-handed pitcher Wandy Rodriguez (0-0, 0.00 ERA) for the first time this season. Thursday's game is set for a 7:05 p.m. start.

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Carolina League Stories from May 14, 2003


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