Mudcats Use Four Run Eighth to Defeat Keys 6-2

FREDERICK, MD - Braden Webb lost a no-hitter in the sixth, struck out five and allowed just one earned run on one hit over five plus innings, Julio Garcia broke a 2-2 tie in the eighth with a RBI single and Devin Hairston extended the lead with a two-run single as the Mudcats picked up a series clinching win 6-2 versus the Keys on Wednesday night at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium in Frederick.

Carolina (37-28) led early in Wednesday's series finale after scoring once in the first on a RBI single from Tristen Lutz and once more in the third on a run scoring two-out hit from Rob Henry. Lutz went 2-for-5 in the game with a RBI and Henry went 2-for-3 with a RBI and a run for the Mudcats.
Those two early runs came against Frederick (29-35) starter DL Hall and reliever Cameron Ming respectively. Hall recorded just two outs while reaching 41 pitches, walking two and allowing a run on two hits in his start. Ming took over and allowed a run on five hits over four and 1/3 innings in relief.
Carolina's early 2-0 lead was enough for most of Webb's start as he made his way through five scoreless and five no-hit frames before allowing a lead off single in the sixth. Webb left the game with two men on in the sixth and All-Star reliever Matt Hardy would follow out of the pen. Hardy went on to allow both inherited runners to score on a two-run single to J.C. Escarra and the Keys managed to tie the game at 2-2.
Webb ended up without a decision, but turned in perhaps his best outing as a Mudcats in 2019. He struck out five, walked three and allowed just one earned run on two hits over five innings pitched. He retired seven straight to start the game before walking his first batter of the game in the third. In all, Webb reached 99 pitches, totaling 53 strikes while working into the sixth.
The game was locked at 2-2 through the seventh before the Dietz hit two batters and walked one to load the bases with no outs. Garcia then singled to center to break the tie and Devin Hairston followed with a two-run single to put Carolina up three at 5-2. The Mudcats then took a 6-2 lead when they brought across one more on a double play hit into by Rogers.
Dietz (L, 1-7, 11.77) took the loss after allowing four runs on two hits over two innings pitched. He originally struck out five straight before losing the tie, walking one, hitting two batters and allowing Carolina's four run rally in the eighth.
Dietz left the game after allowing Hairston's two-run single and reliever Scott Burke ended up finishing the eighth and ninth innings for the Keys. Burke allowed one hit and struck out one over two scoreless while finishing the game. 
Hardy (W, 7-0, 2.97) allowed two inherited runners to score, but pitched through two scoreless frame In all while earning the win. He also gave up four hits and struck out two while facing nine batters.
J.T. Hintzen pitched the eighth and struck out three straight after giving up two hits to start his frame. Clayton Andrews worked the ninth and worked around a hit while finishing the game.
Carolina took the series two games to one with the Wednesday night victory. The Mudcats additionally finished their brief road trip at 2-1 and will next play at home on Thursday night at Five County Stadium. Thursday's game will be the first of four versus the Winston-Salem Dash and will be the first of the final four games of the first half for the Mudcats. The game will air live on the Mudcats Radio Network, The Big Dawg 98.5 FM and online at carolinamudcats.com via TuneIn Radio. The game will also stream live in full high-definition video on MiLB.tv via Minor League Baseball's subscription service.
Individual game tickets, season ticket plans, group ticket packages and the latest mini plans are all available now by visiting the Five County Stadium front office, by calling (919) 269-CATS (2287) and by visiting carolinamudcats.com/tickets.
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