Cooper, Mudcats hold off Keys, win 4-2

ZEBULON, NC – Jordan Cooper and the Carolina Mudcats held a pesky Frederick Keys team at bay on Wednesday afternoon to pick up a 4-2 win in front of 3,382 at Five County Stadium.

Cooper (3-3) tossed four innings in relief of starter Danny Salazar, holding the Keys (3-4, 30-47) to one run while scattering three hits. Salazar tossed three scoreless innings, but did not pitch the minimum five innings to earn a win. Grant Sides earned his second save of the season by pitching to one batter in the ninth.

Left-hander Tim Berry (0-2) took the loss for the Keys. He held the Mudcats to three runs despite allowing eight hits over five innings.

Carolina (5-2, 37-40) struck for runs in the first, third, fourth and eighth innings. The Indians’ Advanced-A affiliate led off the first four frames with extra base hits. Tyler Holt doubled and scored in the first inning. Delvi Ci cracked a double to right in the third. The left fielder scored on a knock by Tony Wolters for a 2-0 lead.

In the third inning, Gallas tripled to right field for his second hit of the day, and scored on a base hit by Carlos Moncrief to put the Mudcats further ahead, 3-0.

Giovanny Urshela belted his fourth home run of the season, and second in as many days, to finish off the Mudcats’ scoring.

For the second straight day, Frederick rallied in the ninth. With two out in the ninth, leading 4-2, and runners at the corners, Carolina brought in Sides to shut the door. The right-hander was able to induce a ground ball to short by Ty Kelly for the final out.

Carolina begins a three-game series at Myrtle Beach on Thursday night. First pitch at TicketReturn.com Field is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.