CarL1 Frederick Keys

Keys Three-Game Winning Streak Snapped at Lynchburg

Published on May 8, 2003 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release


Missed opportunities cost the Frederick Keys (13-18) dearly as they lost the first game in a four-game series to the Lynchburg Hillcats, 9-6 before 770 fans at Lynchburg City Stadium on Thursday, May 8. The loss snaps the Keys three-game win streak and leaves the team 0-4 against the Hillcats this season.

The Keys had two runners on base with one out in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th innings only to watch a double play end the inning. In total, the Keys left 7 runners on base and hit into 5 double plays.

Lynchburg started the scoring in the 2nd inning when Keys catcher Ryan Hubele dropped a throw trying to gun down the runner going home on a double steal attempt. The Hillcats extended their lead to three when designated hitter Walter Young hit a 2-run home run to right-center field.

The Keys cut the lead to one in the 4th inning when Hubele reached on an error that scored a run and shortstop Brandon Fahey hit into a force at second that scored another run. The Keys were never able to tie or take the lead in the game, however, as the rest of the game saw a series of two-run innings by each team.

Lynchburg pushed the lead back to three in the 6th inning on a two-run double by second baseman Jeff Keppinger only to watch the Keys cut it back to one in the 7th inning when center fielder Woody Cliffords hit into a force at second that scored a run and the throw to first trying to turn the double play was wide of first base, allowing another run to score for the Keys.

Again, the Hillcats got two more in the 7th inning and the Keys answered back in the 8th when designated Patrick O'Sullivan doubled in a run and Fahey hit a sacrifice fly to make the score 7-6. Lynchburg finally finished the scoring by scoring two runs in the 8th inning, making the final score 9-6.

Hillcats right-handed pitcher Melqui Torres came on in the 9th inning to record his Carolina League leading 8th save of the season. Hillcats starting right-hander Patrick O'Brien(1-3) pitched 6.0 innings, giving up 2 runs (0 earned) off of 6 hits to get the victory. Right-handed Keys starter Dave Farren (0-1) went 5 innings, giving up 3 runs to get the loss, his first of the season.

The Keys will send right-handed pitcher Richard Bartlett (1-2, 9.00) to the mound for Friday's second game in the four-game series with the Hillcats in Lynchburg, VA. The Hillcats are expected to start their ace right-handed pitcher John VanBenschoten (4-0, 1.14) against the Keys on Friday, May 9. Game time for the second game is set for 7:05 p.m.

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Carolina League Stories from May 8, 2003


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