Jimenez goes deep thrice as Ramblers roll

Michael Jimenez (right) is congratulated by teammates after smacking his third home run of the game in Sunday's 18-1 victory over Placid.

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Michael Jimenez became the first Key West Rambler to homer three times in one game as Key West routed Placid 18-1 on Sunday afternoon.

Jimenez connected on solo shots to left field in both the bottom of the first and in the bottom of the second. He then capped off his four-hit, six RBI game with a grand slam to deep left center in the sixth.

Tim Carty started the home run parade in the first with a long two-run blast to left field. Jimenez's home run immediately after marked the first back-to-back homer occurrence in Rambler history. Two batters later, catcher Matt Knabel crushed a two-run homer of his own to left center. Key West sent 12 hitters to the plate in an eight-run first inning.

The Ramblers (2-0) totaled 21 hits in the seven-inning, run-rule shortened affair. Six players collected multiple hits, including Jimenez (4-for-5), Dan Spain (4-for-5), Toby Decker (3-for-5), Knabel (3-for-5), Cory Davidson (2-for-5) and Jared Munson (2-for-5).

On the mound, Cole Boge went 4.1 innings to get the win in his first start of the season. Boge allowed one run (none earned) and struck out five while surrendering only two hits. Ethan Carlson pitched the final 2.2 innings in relief. He struck out four and gave up just a two-out walk in the sixth.

The Ramblers will play a second game today at 6 p.m. versus Dyersville at Jenk Field as part of the EIHL Tournament.