The Lynchburg Hillcats dropped their second straight to the Keys tonight by a score of 7-1.
Aaron Northcaft’s two errors led to three runs, which gave the Keys the lead they would hold onto from the fourth inning on. Dylan Bundy retired 14 straight and pitched a career-high six and two-thirds innings. Each starter fanned eight and walked two.
Locked in the mist of a four game losing streak, Aaron Northcraft, had a tall task on hand facing the phenom, Dylan Bundy. However, it was the league-leader in strikeouts, Northcraft, who came out and do what he does best, strike people out.
Northcraft started the top of the first by setting down the side on strikes; his counterpart wasn’t as sharp.
In the bottom of the first, Nick Ahmed pulled a double down the left field line for his league-leading 32nd two bagger of the season. A couple batters later Edward Salcedo would hit a slow ground ball that second baseman Nick Adair would bobble and throw away. The error allowed Ahmed to score and give the ‘Cats the early 1-0 lead.
The lead was short lived for the ‘Cats due to some errors of their own in the top of the second. Steve Bumbery walked to start the inning, then Northcraft attempted to pick him off, but threw the ball away. Bumbry advanced to third on the two-base error. Travis Adair grounded out a few moments later to tie the game at 1-1.
Errors would be detrimental to the ‘Cats in the top of the third, as well. A walk started the threat again, this time it was a tapper down the first base side by Bumbry that Northcraft threw away. Scoring from first base was Jeremy Nowak, while Bumbry reached third. Adair would come through for the second straight inning with the productive out, this time it was a sac fly to center that scored Bumbry to give Frederick the 3-1 lead.
Meanwhile, Bundy began to lock in. From the second to his final out with two down in the bottom of the seventh, Bundy retired 16 of 18 including 14 straight. He was yanked in the bottom of the seventh for Eric Beaulac with a runner at second. Beaulac ended the threat after walking Bobby Stevens by fanning Emerson Landoni.
Northcraft exited after the sixth, Andrew Wilson pitched the seventh before Ryan Weber came in for the top of the eighth. Five of the first six batters faced reached to see the lead swell to 5-1. Then, with the bases loaded, Michael Mosby came through with a two-RBI double to ballon the lead to 7-1.
The ninth inning was interesting for different reasons, a rare feat was accomplished in the top of the ninth by Juan Jamie. The righty walked the bases loaded, but turned around to strike out the side. In the bottom half of the frame, with a six-run lead, Frederick Manager Orlando Gomez decided to play the match-up game. Lefty Matt Bywater started the inning by retiring left-handed swinging Chris Garcia. Gomez removed Bywater to put the righty, Oscar Melendez, in the game to get the final two outs. Luckily for the Keys, Melendez got the first out, before surrendering a walk to Michael Spina. The free pass didn’t hurt them as Melendez was able to lock down the final out by retiring Bobby Stevens.
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Chris Graham
