Hummel's Home Run Leads Mudcats to Win

ZEBULON, N.C-Cooper Hummel hit a two-run home run as part of a three-run seventh inning to give the Carolina Mudcats a 4-3 win over the Frederick Keys on Friday night. The loss moved the Keys losing streak to nine in a row, their longest skid since dropping nine straight between June 12-22, 2012.
The Keys (38-47, 3-13) led 3-1 going to the seventh inning. Devin Hairston led off with a double, and Dallas Carroll walked. Hairston moved to third on a fly ball to center field, and scored on a Weston Wilson sacrifice fly. That set up Hummel, who hit a two-run blast to right field to give the Mudcats (44-41, 10-5) their first lead of the game.

Frederick jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. Following a Randolph Gassaway second inning single, Collin Woody jumped on the first pitch he saw, hitting his sixth home run of the year. Two batters later, Jake Ring walked. He then advanced to this on a single and an error, and scored on a Cole Billingsley single.
Carolina scored their first run in the third. Hairston walked and moved to second on a passed ball. After a Carroll single pushed Hairston to third, Wilson drove him in with a single to make it 3-1 Keys.
The Mudcats used five pitchers in the game, and a trio of relievers retired the final 15 Keys they faced. Nathan Kirby (2-4) pitched four innings, the longest of any Carolina pitcher. He earned the win by allowing just two hits and striking out four. Steven Klimek (2-1) took the loss. Pitching three innings, the right-hander allowed the three seven inning runs.
The two teams play the fourth game of their series on Saturday night. Right-hander Cristian Alvarado (7-6, 4.40) makes the start for the Keys. He will be opposed by Mudcats righty Braden Webb (5-5, 3.63). First pitch is scheduled from 5:00 p.m., and the game can be heard on frederickkeys.com and the TuneIn Radio app.
The orange and black return home on Monday for a four-game set against the Wilmington Blue Rocks. For tickets, fans can call 301-815-9939 or visit frederickkeys.com.