Mudcats escape with 4-2 win against Keys

ZEBULON, NC - Connor Lien hit a game tying triple in the seventh and scored the go-ahead run moments later on a throwing error, Bradley Roney earned his second straight save and the Mudcats won their second straight game 4-2 on Wednesday night against the Frederick Keys at Five County Stadium.

The Mudcats (51-52, 17-17) originally led 1-0 before the Keys (49-55, 17-17) rallied back with two runs in the top of the seventh to take the lead. Carolina countered with a three run rally in the bottom of the seventh and managed to leave with their second straight comeback victory against the Keys.

Reed Harper started Carolina's three run seventh with a walk and scored moments later on Lien's triple to left-center. Lien's hit caromed off the wall quickly and came down to Josh Hart who played it well off the track. His throw to the infield was cutoff by Jeff Kemp and the eventual relay to third was thrown to an empty base. Lien ran to third and continued around to score as third baseman Tanner Witt failed to cover the base.

Lien's triple tied the game 2-2 and the throwing error put the Mudcats up 3-2 in the inning. Dustin Peterson later walked in the inning and scored on a RBI single by Carlos Franco and the Mudcats eventually took a 4-2 lead in the game.

Frederick's Matt Taylor (L, 1-1, 3.60) allowed all three Carolina runs in the game changing seventh and took the loss. He left the game with men on and after giving up Franco's RBI single to right. Nick Nowottnick finished the seventh with two men stranded on base and went on to also work a scoreless eighth. Taylor allowed three runs and two hits over one and 2/3 innings pitched. Nowottnick kept the Mudcats scoreless over an inning and a 1/3 pitched.

Franco was 2-for-3 in the game with a RBI single. Lien was 1-for-4 with a run and a RBI and Johan Camargo was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Camargo doubled to start the fifth and later scored on a wild pitch lost by Keys' starter Mikey O'Brien. The wild pitch allowed Camargo in and gave them their original lead in the game at 1-0 midway through.

O'Brien left after the fifth, but departed with a season high eight strikeouts, two walks and just one run on four hits over five full innings pitched.

Carolina starter Blair Walters matched O'Brien with a brilliant performance of his own, but would not earn a decision. Walters pitched into the seventh, but did not record an out in the inning and left with two men on base. Newly signed reliever Clayton Cook allowed both inherited runners to score on a single to left from Conor Bierfeldt and the Keys took a 2-1 lead in the seventh.

Walters finished his start with three walks, two strikeouts and only three hits allowed over six innings pitched. Cook, meanwhile, allowed two inherited runners to score, but ended up going an inning and 1/3 scoreless while allowing two hits and walking one. Cook (W, 4-2, 5.06) suffered a blown save and earned the win on Wednesday night.

Roney took over for Cook in the eighth and managed to leave both inherited runners on base in the inning. He retired the first batter he faced on a line out to short, but then walked Kemp to load the bags for Wynston Sawyer. Roney worked Sawyer to an 0-2 count and eventually retired him on a fly out to left. Roney left the bags loaded in the eighth and struck out two in the ninth while earning his second straight save.

The victory sealed a series win for the Mudcats and was their second straight overall. The Mudcats have additionally now won nine straight games against the Keys this season and lead the season series 9-0. Starter Seth Webster will start the series finale for the Mudcats on Thursday night at Five County Stadium. The Keys will go with starter Luis Gonzalez in game three.

All games air on the Mudcats Radio Network, The Big Dawg 98.5 FM, Rock City 99.3 FM and Sports 1490 AM. Games are also streamed online at www.carolinamudcats.com via TuneIn Radio and the TuneIn Radio app. TuneIn Radio is the official digital audio partner of MiLB.com.

Individual tickets are now available online at www.carolinamudcats.com, by calling (919) 269-2287 and by visiting the Five County Stadium box office.

Premium Field Level seats are $12.00, Box Seats are $10.00 and Cattail Skybox Seats are $15.00. Flex plans, group tickets and the "Muddy Unreal Deal" plan are also currently available for purchase.

The Carolina Mudcats are the Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. The 2015 "Braves New World" season is the first for the Mudcats as an affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and their fourth straight in the historic Carolina League. First established in 1991, the Carolina Mudcats are entering their 25th straight season of baseball at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C. Fans can purchase tickets or find more information by calling (919) 269-2287 or by visiting www.carolinamudcats.com.

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