Bizarre play pushes Ramblers to victory over Farley

A soft grounder to the right of the pitcher's mound proved to be the most important play in the Ramblers' 6-2 victory over Farley on Sunday afternoon at Farley Park. Key West (8-9) won for the third time in the last four games, riding the dominant right arm of starting pitcher Andrew Redman (4-0, 1.08 ERA) once again.

Farley actually edged in front 1-0 with an unearned run in the top of the fourth, but the Ramblers quickly answered with four runs in the bottom half. After Gabe Wingert's (pictured) sacrifice fly knotted the game, Key West struck for three runs on a single play thanks to several Farley defensive miscues.

With two out and two on, Key West right fielder Austin Bradley hit a dribbler down the first base line that Farley pitcher Matt McKinney fielded and fired over the first baseman's head. Chris Briggs scored easily while Matt Knabel chugged around third and trotted home as the throw to the plate sailed over the catcher's head. The speedy Bradley then sprinted to the plate as another errant throw missed the mark. Suddenly the Ramblers led 4-1.

The three-run lead provided plenty of cushion for Redman, who moved to 12-1 in his last 13 starts. The powerful right-hander did not give up a single earned run in seven innings. He limited Farley to four hits and struck out nine while not issuing any free passes.

Farley mounted a rally in the eighth with a run to get within 4-2. Kenny Capesius, who entered the game in the seventh, cracked a two-run single off of reliever Will Petrosky to give the Ramblers some more breathing room. Capesius delivered the two-out base hit through the left side of the infield in the bottom of the eighth, capping all scoring for the day.

Lefty Matt Lozano then completed the victory with a 1-2-3 ninth. Lozano got the save for his work in the eighth and ninth innings. He and Redman combined for a dozen strikeouts.

Redman has been near unhittable once again in 2013, limiting opposing hitters to a .143 batting average in 25 innings this season. He has allowed only 13 hits and three walks all year.

Wingert finished 2-for-3 in his seventh career game with Key West. Briggs got back on track with a 3-for-4 effort that included a pair of runs.

The Ramblers will have nearly a week off before returning to action on Saturday, July 6 when the Rickardsville Tournament gets underway. Key West will play East Dubuque at 6 p.m. in the first round at Rickardsville.