Another Gem for Drake; Keys Top P-Nats, 4-1
July 8, 2011 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release
It is starting to become a theme in Frederick; when Oliver Drake takes the hill, the Keys win. The Keys defeated Potomac Nationals on Friday night, 4-1, thanks largely in part to another impressive pitching performance by Drake. The Gardner, Mass native did not allow a run through eight innings and improved to 8-3 on the season after tossing 8 1/3 innings on the night. With the win, the Keys avoided a three-game sweep at the hands of the P-Nats and improved to 8-7 on the second-half of the season.
After Drake retired the first six batters he faced on the night, the Keys put some runs on the board for their starting pitcher. CF Miguel Abreu led off the bottom of the second inning with a single off LHP Danny Rosenbaum. After a Mollenhauer fly out and a Ward walk, DH Kipp Schutz stepped to the plate with two on and one out. Schutz chopped a ball at 2B Jeff Kobernus. Kobernus tried to flip to second for the force but dropped the ball on the exchange. Everyone was safe following the Kobernus error. Two batters later, with the bases still loaded, 1B Jacob Julius singled to right field. Julius' single scored Abreu and Ward to put the Keys in front 2-0. Schutz came home later in the inning when Julius got in rundown between first and second.
SS Manny Machado added to the Keys' three-run advantage in the bottom of the third when he hit a solo shot to right field. Machado's second home run as a Key put the Frederick in front 4-0 after three innings.
The four-run lead was plenty for Oliver Drake. With two out in the fourth, 1B Justin Bloxom hit a single to right field to put an end to Drake's no hit bid.
Through eight innings, Drake kept the P-Nats off the board. With one out in the ninth, Justin Bloxom singled home RF Destin Hood to cut the Potomac deficit to three. The Bloxom RBI single ended Drake's scoreless innings streak at 33. The last run Drake had allowed was in the fifth inning of the Keys 8-3 win over Winston-Salem on June 14th.
Sean Gleason entered the game for Drake following the Bloxom RBI single and retired J.P. Ramirez and Sandy Leon to end the game. Gleason notched his 24th save of the season on the night. The save tied Gleason with Francisco Hernandez (1997) for the single-season franchise record of saves in a season. Drake picked up the win and improved to 8-3 on the year.
The Keys welcome the Kinston Indians to town on Saturday night for the start of a three-game series. LHP Nathan Moreau (8-6, 3.32) will get the nod for Frederick while the K-Tribe will turn to knuckleballer, Steve Wright (1-0, 3.43). First pitch from Harry Grove Stadium is set for 6:00 p.m.
Saturday night is Salute to the Orioles night in Frederick. The Oriole Bird will be in the house along with longtime Baltimore Oriole, Al Bumbry. For tickets, call 1-877-8-GO-KEYS or purchase online at www.frederickkeys.com.
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Carolina League Stories from July 8, 2011
- Another Gem for Drake; Keys Top P-Nats, 4-1 - Frederick Keys
- Oliver Drake Wins His Fourth Straight Start and Improves to 8-3 on the Year - Frederick Keys
- Bloxom Goes 3-4 as P-Nats Lose 4-1 - Potomac Nationals
- Dash Win Soggy, Rain-Shortened Finale - Winston-Salem Dash
- Wickswat Dominates to Give Dash Abbreviated Finale - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Indians Sweep Double from 'Cats - Lynchburg Hillcats
- K-Tribe Sweeps Lynchburg 6-1, 1-0 - Kinston Indians
- Rain Suspends Play at Salem - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Second Inning Downpour Suspends Sox-Rocks Finale - Salem Red Sox
- Pelicans Game Notes - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes - Winston-Salem Dash
- Dash Announce Roster Moves - Winston-Salem Dash
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
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