Five-Run Fifth Hands Keys Second Straight Loss

FREDERICK, MD -Carolina used a five-run fifth inning as well as excellent starting pitching from Shawn Morimando to take down Frederick 9-2 on Wednesday night at Harry Grove Stadium. Over the last two games, the Keys have been outscored 16-2. With the loss, Luis Pujols' club drops to 2-4 on the year.

Carolina got a pair of runs off Bridwell (0-1) in the second. With two outs, Alex Monsalve singled while LeVon Washington hit an opposite field homer to left. The Keys responded with a run in the home-half of the inning. Michael Burgess struck out, but advanced to first on a wild pitch. He scooted to third on a single and an error by second baseman Todd Hankins, and eventually scored on a fielder's choice by Adrian Marin.

Ahead 2-1, the Mudcats added one run in the fourth on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch, before pounding out five runs in the fifth. After Bridwell struck out ex-teammate Torsten Boss, six straight Mudcats reached via base-hits. Jeremy Lucas drove in a pair on a triple to right and Monsalve added an RBI single before Bridwell was relieved by Matt Price. He allowed a double to Washington, and then a two-run single by James Roberts to complete the scoring. In the frame, all nine Mudcats hitters came to bat.

Bridwell's debut at Harry Grove Stadium was a challenging one. He allowed seven runs (six earned) in 4.1 innings to go along with a career-high 10 hits. He struck out six and did not walk a batter.

It would be a different story for Mudcats lefty Shawn Morimando (1-0). In six innings, he scattered three hits and one unearned run while walking two and striking out six. The key to the Mudcats success, Carolina's starters have now gone 23 straight innings without allowing an earned run.

Carolina added one more in the seventh, before the Keys plated one run in the eighth on an RBI single by Burgess. Held to six hits on the game, two of them came from Glynn Davis, who ended 2-for-4 with a run scored. He has now hit safely in all six games this season.

Frederick wraps up its series against Carolina on Thursday night. Lefty Matt Taylor (0-0, 0.00) ERA) makes his second start for the Keys. He will be countered by Mudcats right-hander Michael Peoples (0-0, 5.40). First pitch is slated for 7:00 p.m. from Harry Grove Stadium. For ticket information, please call 301-815-9939 or visit frederickkeys.com.