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Potomac Nationals

Keys, with Two in the Ninth, Earn Walk-Off Win over Potomac

July 20, 2015 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Potomac Nationals News Release


Frederick, MD-The Frederick Keys (45-50-Overall, 25-22-Home, 13-12-Second Half) plated two runs in the bottom of the ninth to hand the Potomac Nationals (44-49-Overall, 19-25-Road, 11-12-Second Half) their sixth loss in a row, earning the 6-5 walk-off win at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium on Monday night.

2B Jeff Kemp against RHP Manny Rodriguez (1-1, 3.94) with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the ninth lined a two-run single into straightaway centerfield scoring RF Connor Bierfeldt and 3B Tanner Witt to win the series and hand Potomac their second walk-off loss of the 2015 campaign.

LHP Matt Purke, fresh off the disabled list after recovering from Tommy John surgery, made his second start for Potomac this season. Purke was perfect through four and a third innings until a one out single in the fifth by DH Austin Wynns broke up the perfection. Purke finished with five innings of shutout ball, allowing just the one hit and striking out two. He did not factor in the decision.

LHP Luis Gonzalez made the start for Potomac and he pitched six and a third innings allowing two runs on four hits, including a 3B Drew Ward solo home run while striking out two. Gonzalez, like Purke, didn't factor into the decision. Gonzalez was forced to leave after 1B Grant DeBruin hit him in the leg with a line drive in the seventh inning with one out.

All the scoring happened from the sixth inning on and it started with Frederick plating two after RHP Brain Dupra entered the game in relief of Purke. Dupra retired the first two hitters he faced in the sixth before Witt doubled. CF Jay Gonzalez hit an RBI single and moved to second on the throw but giving Frederick a 1-0 lead. LF Josh Hart doubled behind him, scoring Gonzalez for a 2-0 lead before Dupra retired C Chance Sisco on a ground ball to end the inning.

In the top of the seventh Ward laced his home run ball to right field to cut the lead to 2-1 Keys, it was the fourth home run for the lefty Ward on the season. Two batters later DeBruin reached on the infield single that chased Gonzalez and against the new pitcher RHP Jon Keller, RF John Wooten singled. 2B Khayyan Norfork reached on a fielder's choice ball that saw Wooten get put out at second base. With DeBruin at third base, Norfork stole second base and on the delivery the pitch went wild and DeBruin scored to tie the game at 2-2 and Norfork moved to third base. LF Estarlin Martinez legged out an infield single that allowed Norfork to score and Potomac grabbed a 3-2 lead.

Dupra remained in the game in seventh and began by issuing a walk to Kemp and then a single Wynns. After an SS Adrian Marin sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third, 1B Wynston Sawyer singled home Kemp to tie the game at 3-3. Bierfeldt singled home Wynns and Frederick reclaimed the lead at 4-3. LHP Justin Thomas entered the game and walked a batter before retiring Hart to end the inning. Dupra pitched one and two thirds innings allowing four runs (all earned) on six hits, a walk and he struck out one Key.

In the top of the eighth Keller remained in the game for the Keys and CF Narciso Mesa singled to open the inning. Ward hit into a fielder's choice where Mesa was retired at second base and DH Stephen Perez reached on an infield single. DeBruin then walked to load the bases and Wooten slapped a single into shallow centerfield that scored both Ward and Perez to again give Potomac the lead at 5-4.

RHP Dillon Rheault (2-2, 6.62) pitched a scoreless ninth inning giving up just one hit and picking up a strikeout while earning the win.

Thomas opened the ninth inning by hitting Bierfeldt. Thomas lasted an inning and a third giving up one hit and one run (earned) on two walks and he struck out one Key. Potomac then went to the bullpen and brought in Rodriguez, who dumped back-to-back wild pitches to put Bierfeldt at third base as the tying run. Witt was the hitter and he eventually walked before Rodriguez struck out Gonzalez and then struck out Hart. Sisco walked to load the bases to set up the game winning opportunity for Kemp. Rodriguez took the loss, pitching two thirds of an inning and giving up one hit, one run (earned) on two walks and he struck out two in the loss.

Frederick, with the 6-5 win, won the series and goes for the sweep tomorrow afternoon in the matinee affair after giving Potomac their season long sixth straight loss.

First pitch from Nymeo Field is set for 12:00 pm in the finale and Potomac will send RHP John Simms (5-6, 3.01) to the mound against LHP Mitch Horacek (6-9, 4.30) for the Keys.

You can listen live to The Potomac Nationals Baseball Network starting at 11:45 pm via the TuneIn Radio App and at www.potomacnationals.com.

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