LYNCHBURG, VA -The Frederick Keys (46-53/15-15) snapped an 11-game losing streak at City Stadium thanks to a 4-3 victory over the Lynchburg Hillcats (59-42/19-13) on Tuesday night. A slide which began last July 6, the Keys plated the go-ahead run in the ninth to force a rubber game on Wednesday.Facing
LYNCHBURG, VA -The Frederick Keys (46-53/15-15) snapped an 11-game losing streak at City Stadium thanks to a 4-3 victory over the Lynchburg Hillcats (59-42/19-13) on Tuesday night. A slide which began last July 6, the Keys plated the go-ahead run in the ninth to force a rubber game on Wednesday.
Facing Justin Garcia, Frederick used a pair of extra-base hits to go ahead for good. Alex Murphy opened the inning with a double and moved to third after the ball was misplayed in right by Connor Marabell. Two batters later, Drew Turbin added a two-bagger to center to make it a 4-3 affair.
Tanner Chleborad came on for the ninth and slammed the door with a 1-2-3 inning.
Before the ninth, the Keys built three separate leads only to see the Hillcats eventually level the game. In the first, Ademar Rifaela walked with one out, moved to third on a Randolph Gassaway double and came home on a two-bagger by Shane Hoelscher .
Lynchburg evened the game in the bottom of the first on an RBI single by Sicnarf Loopstok which brought Sam Haggerty in from third. Frederick then went back ahead in the second against Aaron Civale. Following a Murphy walk and a groundout, Turbin singled to center to bring his teammate home.
Marabell doubled in Tom from first in the fourth, before Gassaway made it 3-2 in the fifth with a solo homer. In the sixth, Lynchburg tied the game again. With two outs, the home team got a single from Martin Cervenka, while an error by Turbin at second put a pair on base. Jon Keller then plunked Ivan Castillo, while Haggerty coaxed a walk to force in a run.
Luis Gonzalez proceeded to shut down the Hillcats from there, tossing 2.1 innings of scoreless baseball. Earning the victory, Gonzalez (2-2) struck out two and allowed two hits. Garcia (3-3) allowed an unearned run in the ninth on two hits and suffered the loss, while Chleborad posted his 13th save.
For the game, Lynchburg went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left 10 aboard.
The Keys and Hillcats conclude their series on Wednesday. Right-hander Cristian Alvarado (5-8, 5.47) starts for Frederick and will be opposed by right-hander Triston McKenzie (9-4, 2.86). First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m., and the game can be heard on 1450 AM The Source, frederickkeys.com, and the TuneIn Radio App.
Frederick returns to Nymeo Field on July 31 for a three-game series against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. For tickets, fans can call 301-815-9939 or visit frederickkeys.com.
