Minor League Notes: Ruettiger & Mummey Lead Charge in Keys’ 7-6 Victory

Frederick, MD – The same day Ty Kelly, the Carolina League’s leading hitter received a special call to Double-A Bowie, the Keys had special performances from their top two hitters in the lineup.

Leftfielder Johnny Ruettiger and centerfielder Trent Mummey combined for eight hits in nine plate appearances in the Keys’ one-run victory Monday against the Salem Red Sox.

Ruettiger hit his first professional home run in the seventh inning to cap off his four hit night.  He finished a triple away from the cycle. Mummey had a four-hit night of his own that included a home run in the fourth inning. The Keys’ outfielders added 16 points to their batting average each.

Frederick is back at .500 with a 12-12 record through the first 24 games of the second half. They are in a tie for second with Wilmington, and one game behind Lynchburg for first place in the Carolina League Norther division.

Post-game quotes

Trent Mummey

– On his four-hit night

“Today in the cages I made a little adjustment with my body. The first at-bat I saw a slider and was able to put it through the other way, and when I put the ball through the six hole, it’s usually when I am doing well.  I knew it was going to be a really good day at the plate.”

– On the home run

“He left a fastball over the middle of the plate, I stayed short on it and drove it out of the park.  I mean it’s pretty easy to hit when you got someone in front of you who gets on base every time.  It was a fun day at the plate. Before the game I told Rudy [Ruettiger] that we have to get eight hits combined, and it actually happened. We were joking around in the dugout.”

– On the key adjustment made in the cages

“I mainly wanted to stay square with the pitcher. I was kind of closing myself off with my shoulder. It wasn’t helping me out. I opened up my front shoulder a little bit to make sure it was square. It seemed to be the key today.”

– On losing Ty Kelly to Promotion

“We lost an excellent player and hitter with Ty Kelly. He kind of carried our team when everybody was down.  He was our team and he is a great hitter. I hope he does great in Bowie.  He deserved the call-up. We are going to need other players to step up now.”

Johnny Ruettiger

– On his first professional home run

“It was exciting just to get that off my back, and start off well because I hit some balls the opposite way.”

– On importance of yourself and Trent Mummey at the top of the order

“Yeah, it’s our job to get the momentum of the game going, and get on base for the other guys to drive us home.”

Orlando Gomez

– On the close victory

“Nothing is easy.  Sometimes I hate to think those things happen, but it brings the team up too.  We came back from behind and won it. [David] Walters came and and got us a big punch out. If we would have lost that game we would have been in trouble.”

– On Mummey and Ruettiger

“Well both players got a combined eight hits today. They each had a home run and it was nice. Especially when we lost Ty Kelly. He was in that situation hitting third and everything. It all came together. It was nice.”

– On Ty Kelly’s promotion to Bowie

“I was very happy for him he deserved it. When a guy is hitting that way and doing the things he was doing he deserved it. He worked very hard to get to this point. It’s a big opportunity and chance for him. I know he is going to take advantage of it.  He’s a pretty good hitter and has a pretty good idea of the plate.”