The Lynchburg Hillcats dropped the first game of a seven-game road trip, falling 6-1 to the Frederick Keys on Monday night at Nymeo Field.
The Keys (13-18) scored two runs in each of the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to beat the Hillcats (14-16).
Frederick opened the scoring in the fourth when Yojhan Quevedo blasted a two-run home run, his first of the season, to put the Keys ahead, 2-0.
The Orioles affiliate added to their lead in the fifth. With two out, Preston Palmeiro hit a ground-rule double and Randolph Gassaway walked. The next hitter, Jomar Reyes, ripped a two-run double into the left field corner to extend Frederick’s lead to 4-0.
The Hillcats’ best scoring chance came in the fifth inning when they loaded the bases with one out. Alexis Pantoja struck out swinging and Trenton Brooks just missed hitting a grand slam, as he flew out to the wall in center field to end the frame.
Lynchburg got a run back in the sixth to make it a 4-1 contest, when Jose Medina crushed a solo home run, his first of the season.
With one out in the sixth, Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jonathon Schoop, who was playing with the Keys as part of a major league rehab assignment, hit a two-run double off the wall in left field to widen the margin to 6-1 and cap the scoring.
Hillcats starter Tanner Tully (Loss, 1-3) allowed four earned runs on eight hits in 4.2 innings. Justin Garcia surrendered a pair of runs in 2.1 innings of work, and Dalbert Siri pitched a scoreless eighth.
Keys starting pitcher Cristian Alvarado (Win, 4-2) gave up just one run on three htis in six innings. Tyler Erwin (Save, 2) logged three scoreless innings out of Frederick’s bullpen and recorded six strikeouts.
The series continues on Tuesday with the second game of the three-game series. Right-hander Felix Tati will be promoted from Single-A Lake County and make his Hillcats debut, while left-hander Brian Gonzalez (1-2, 3.90) will start for the Keys. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Nymeo Field.
Max Gun will be on the air at 6:50 p.m. with the Hillcats pre-game show on TuneIn Radio and the Radio434 App.
For tickets or more information, visit lynchburg-hillcats.com, call 434-528-1144. or stop by the City Stadium box office.
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Chris Graham
