Clark and McDowell combine for six RBIs in a 12-9 home loss

ZEBULON, N.C. - Jake Gatewood was 2-for-4 with three runs and two doubles, Trent Clark hit a two-run home run, Max McDowell had three RBIs, but starter Eric Hanhold allowed five first inning runs and eight overall before leaving in the third as the Mudcats lost to the Keys 12-9 at Five County Stadium on Friday night.

The Keys (15-14) opened their five run first with five straight hits before Hanhold (0-2, 9.14) induced a groundout and recorded his only strikeout of the start. He then gave up a two-run double with two-outs to Stuart Levy as the Keys jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the opening frame. 
Frederick also scored once in the second, added four in the third and scored one more in the fourth before getting one last run across on a home run by Alex Murphy in the sixth. The Mudcats (12-16) had two runs in the second, four in the third, two in the seventh and one in the eighth, but fell short in their comeback bid.
Stevie Wilkerson, Austin Hays, Ryan Mountcastle, Randolph Gassaway and Alex Murphy had consecutive hits against Hanhold to open the game. Wilkerson also singled and scored a run in the second and was 2-for-5 with two runs for the Keys. Hays was 1-for-3 with two runs, Mountcastle was 3-for-5 with four RBIs and Gassaway was 1-for-6. Murphy was 2-for-6 with two runs, a solo home run and three RBIs. 
Keys catcher Stuart Levy also had a big night after reaching base safely in each of his five plate appearances. He was 2-for-2 with three RBIs and three walks.
The Keys led 6-0 in the second before the Mudcats (12-16) rallied back with two runs off Cody Sedlock to get within four at 6-2. Lucas Erceg and Gatewood started the rally with back-to-back hits and both later scored on RBI groundouts from Clark and McDowell respectively.
Sedlock (4-0, 4.83) worked through five full innings for the Keys and earned the win. He allowed six runs on nine hits, but struck out seven while earning his fourth win of the season.
Hanhold (0-2, 9.14) took the loss and allowed a total of eight runs and nine hits over just two and 1/3 innings pitched. He was followed by Colton Cross who finished with two runs allowed on one hit while pitching through 2/3 of an inning. 
Kodi Medeiros then worked the next five innings in relief and allowed just two runs on five hits while striking out five and walking three. Scott Grist finished the game for the Mudcats and held the Keys scoreless in the ninth after taking over for Medeiros with a runner on base and no outs. Grist walked one and struck out two.
Gatewood's second inning double stretched his hitting streak to a career best 15 straight games. It was also his first of two doubles in the game as he went 2-for-4 with two doubles, three runs and two RBIs on Friday night. Gatewood now leads the league in runs (24), doubles (11) and extra-base hits (16) this season.
Clark was 3-for-4, scored twice and launched a three-run home run for the Mudcats in the loss. His home run in the third cut the Carolina deficit to 10-6, but the Mudcats never caught up to the Keys in the 12-9 loss.
McDowell was 3-for-5 with three RBIs for the Mudcats and helped them get within four in the seventh with a run scoring hit. Carolina loaded the bases in the seventh and had the tying run up when reliever Jay Flaa entered the game. Flaa (S, 3) went on to strikeout Luis Aviles Jr. with the bags full and eventually earned the save after working through two and 1/3 innings with one run allowed on one hit. Flaa also struck out five and walked two. 
Reliever Luis Gonzalez also pitched for the Keys and gave up two runs on five hits over an inning and 2/3 while striking out four.
NOTES: Friday's game featured 30 combined hits as both sides totaled 15 over the three hour and 39 minute marathon of a game… Carolina's five, six and seven hitters, Gatewood, Clark and McDowell, combined to go 8-for-13 with five runs and eight RBIs in Friday's loss.
UP NEXT: The series will continue on Saturday with Star Wars Saturday presented by the City Rocky Mount and game three of the four game series beginning at 5:00 p.m. at Five County Stadium.
The game will air on the Mudcats Radio Network, The Big Dawg 98.5 FM and online at carolinamudcats.com via TuneIn Radio. It will also stream live online via high definition video at MiLB.tv. Tickets are available by calling (919) 269-CATS (2287) and by visiting carolinamudcats.com/tickets.
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