Ramblers record 20th win in wild victory

Nothing has been easy lately for the Ramblers, and Sunday's Prairie League contest at Zwingle was no different. Key West (20-6) overcame a rash of hit-batters that highlighted a five-run Zwingle fifth inning to pull out a wild, 11-9, victory.

Dan Spain, who relieved Key West starting pitcher Greg Farrey, took over with two men on and no outs in the bottom of the fifth as the Ramblers clung to a 5-4 lead. Spain promptly hit the first four batters he faced before getting a groundout to third and a double play to bring the inning to an end. Zwingle led 9-5.

After going down quietly in the sixth, the Ramblers brought 12 men to the plate as part of a six-run seventh inning. Cory Davidson's RBI double knocked home the first run of the inning, facilitating the game-deciding rally. Key West needed just three hits in the frame as it took advantage of six walks in the inning. Travis Lyons, who relieved Chris Winner after the first two men reached in the seventh, was tagged with the loss.

Farrey settled in after a shaky first inning and gave the Ramblers solid work in the second, third and fourth innings. But he appeared to be tiring in the fifth and was lifted for Spain. In total, Key West pitchers allowed only four hits, but surrendered four walks and five hit-batsmen. However, Spain pitched effectively in the sixth and seventh innings in nabbing his fourth win.

While Key West pitchers struggled at times, its hitters responded with a big offensive day. Chris Briggs (3-for-5), Cory Davidson (2-for-4) and Dan Spain (2-for-5) collected multiple hits, contributing to a 10-hit Rambler output. Six of those hits were doubles. Briggs, Kenny Capesius, Tim Carty, Davidson, Jared Munson and Spain each tallied one double.

The Ramblers begin a three games in three days stretch on Tuesday when they play Dubuque at Petrakis in a 7 p.m. tussle. Briggs, Davidson and Munson will be in action tonight in the semi-pro all-star game at Dyersville. The all-star game starts at 5 p.m.