WRAL Sports Fan

Mudcats

Keys soak Mudcats in rain-shortened game

May 24, 2012

Smithfield, N.C. — The Frederick Keys plated seven runs over three innings, and defeated the Carolina Mudcats 7-2 in six-and-one-half innings on a soaking Wednesday night at Five County Stadium. The game was called with two on and no outs in the bottom of the seventh due to a steady downpour.

Kyle Blair (1-1) was hit hard in relief for the Mudcats (22-23). Blair allowed seven runs on five hits, and walked a season-high five hitters in two-and-a-third innings.

Brandon Erbe (1-0) earned his first win for the Keys (16-25) by tossing two-and-two-thirds. He allowed one hit, two walks and fanned two.

With a steady rain beginning to fall and trailing 2-1 in the fifth, the Keys struck for four runs on back-to-back home runs by Jeremy Nowak and Aaron Baker. Nowak’s shot, a 3-run blast down the left field line, gave Frederick a 5-2 lead.

A pair of walks to begin the sixth came home to score on a wild pitch and a defensive lapse. With runners at the corners, Trey Mummey was caught in a run down between first and second. During the play, Joe Oliveira scored, and Mummey was safe when the drop to second was dropped.

The middle innings barrage erased a terrific start for Danny Salazar. The right-hander dealt three hitless innings, allowed one walk and struck out four.

Delvi Cid launched his first home run of season in the second inning, a deep fly over center. Giovanny Urshela drove in the Mudcats’ second run with a single to center in the fifth.

The Carolina Mudcats return home on Friday, May 25, to host the Winston-Salem Dash. Tickets are available through the box office by calling (919) 269-2287 or visiting carolinamudcats.com.