Mudcats Drop Heartbreaker at Frederick

Frederick, MD – The Carolina Mudcats watched another rally thwarted when the Frederick Keys came up with one of their own on Thursday night at Harry Grove Stadium.  Pinch hitter Mike Flacco launched a towering two-run shot over the left field wall, and the Keys escaped, 4-3.

The blast came off reliever J.D. Reichenbach (3-4), who allowed his second game-winning home run in as many outings. Carolina has dropped back-to-back one-run games on the road, and three of their last four.

The Mudcats (11-9, 43-47) mounted one last comeback against reliever David Walters (2-4) in the ninth, but left the tying run at third base when the game ended. Frederick improved to 10-10 in the second half and 37-53 overall.

Tyler Wilson was strong in the start for Frederick. The right-hander fanned 10 hitters, a season-high, over 6.2 innings. He left with a 2-1 lead, but the bullpen for the Keys could not hold it. The Mudcats loaded the bases in the eighth, and Anthony Gallas drove in a pair with a two-out knock to center field for a 3-2 lead.

Walks proved to be a killer early in the game for the Mudcats. The Keys turned three walks in the fifth inning into two runs off starter Michael Goodnight, ruining what had been a nice start to that point. Goodnight finished after five innings, allowing two runs on three hits. He walked five.

Carolina drew first blood against Wilson in the first inning. Bo Greenwell tripled, and scored on a fielding error by the pitcher.

The Mudcats continue their series at Frederick on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Carolina returns to Five County Stadium on July 16 to host the Winston-Salem Dash. Tickets are available through the box office by calling (919) 269-2287 or visiting carolinamudcats.com.