CarL1 Frederick Keys

Keys Lose Second-Straight to Hillcats, 10-6

Published on May 9, 2003 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release


A six-run 4th inning turned a 5-4 Frederick Keys lead into a 10-5 deficit as the Keys lost their second-straight game to the Lynchburg Hillcats, 10-6, before 869 spectators at Lynchburg City Stadium on Friday, May 9. The loss pushes the Keys record versus the Hillcats to 0-5 for the season.

Down 5-4 going into the bottom of the 4th inning, Lynchburg (20-10) got four consecutive base hits to plate two runs and go on top, 6-5. After the Keys brought in right-handed reliever Jayme Sperring for reliever Andy Mitchell, Hillcats first baseman Walter Young hit a towering, 3-run home run to right field, his second home run in two nights and fifth of the season, to extend the lead to four runs. Third baseman Jose Bautista followed later in the inning with a solo home run, his third of the season.

The Keys (13-19) started the scoring in the ballgame, plating three runs in the 2nd inning. Right fielder Alex Gordon hit a RBI base hit for the Keys first run and left fielder Adam Manley followed with a two RBI double to give the Keys an early 3-0 lead.

Lynchburg answered back in the bottom half of the inning, scoring a run on a base hit by second baseman Jeff Keppinger, two more on triple by left fielder Yurendell DeCaster, and another run on a RBI groundout by right fielder Jeremy Harts. Right-handed Keys starting pitcher Richard Bartlett did not last through the inning and ended up allowing 4 runs on 5 hits in 1.2 innings pitched.

After a shaky beginning where he gave up five runs in the first three innings, Hillcats right-handed starter John VanBenschoten (5-0) settled down to go 5.2 total innings, giving up 5 runs off of 5 hits to receive his fifth victory of the season. Keys right-handed reliever Andy Mitchell (1-1) pitched 1.2 innings and gave up 4 runs to receive his first loss of the season.

The third game of the four-game series will begin at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday, May 10. The Keys will start right-handed pitcher Nick McCurdy who was transferred to the Keys from Class A Delmarva after Friday's game. In 6 appearances for the Shorebirds this season, McCurdy is 2-4 with a 3.38 ERA. The Hillcats have yet to announce a starter for Saturday's game.

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Carolina League Stories from May 9, 2003


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