Big First Inning Enough in Win
Published on July 28, 2019 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release
FREDERICK, MD - A big first inning fueled the Frederick Keys (12-24, 40-64) in a 6-4 win over the Potomac Nationals (19-19, 49-56) on Sunday afternoon at Nymeo Field. Trailing 1-0, Cole Billingsley and Zach Jarrett hit back-to-back solo home runs to take the lead and the Keys never looked back. They scored three more in the first frame, but Potomac slowly chipped away at the lead and came within one run in the fifth. The Keys' bullpen came up big as Diogenes Almengo and Tim Naughton held the line to salvage the series finale.
After Austin Davidson put the P-Nats up 1-0 with an RBI single, the Keys immediately roughed up Malvin Pena (5-7) in the bottom of the first. Billingsley snuck his first home run of the season over the right-field wall and Jarrett followed with a monster shot to left to put the Keys up 2-1. Three straight reached after which loaded the bases for Patrick Dorrian, who lofted a double into deep left-field that scored a pair of runs. Sean Miller's sacrifice fly capped off the five-run inning, which saw all nine Keys' players at the plate.
Potomac whittled away at the 5-1 deficit against Brenan Hanifee (8-9). In the third inning, Hanifee hit Gilbert Lara and gave up a double to Jack Sundberg which put runners at second and third with no-outs. Gage Canning picked up an RBI groundout while Aldrem Corredor knocked in Sundberg to make it 5-3 Keys.
Hanifee ran into trouble again in the fifth. He allowed three singles to load the bases and gave up a run to make it a 5-4 contest. After hitting a batter, he got a ground-ball to end the inning.
Hanifee got his third straight win after allowing four runs on six hits in five innings. He walked one and hit two batters but stranded five on-base.
The Keys offense got the run back in the bottom of the fifth. Brett Cumberland doubled to lead off the inning and Jomar Reyes followed suit with an RBI double to make it 6-4 Keys.
Pena was able to retire the next three batters in order, but the damage was done. The right-hander allowed six runs (four earned) on eight hits in five innings.
The Keys' bullpen was lock down after that. Almengo came on in relief and allowed just one hit over three innings while he struck out three. Naughton (S, 5) was called upon to close out the ninth and he retired the side in order thanks to an outstanding catch from Jarrett in left field.
The Keys have an off-day tomorrow before traveling south for a six-game road trip. Frederick's first stop is in Myrtle Beach where they take on the Pelicans in a three-game set starting Tuesday, July 30. LHP Cameron Bishop (0-8, 4.93) takes the mound for the Keys. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm, with pregame coverage starting at 6:50pm on frederickkeys.com and the Tune In radio app.
The Frederick Keys are the Advanced-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, and play their home games at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium. Following the 2018 season, the Keys were named the winner of the Carolina League's Complete Franchise Award. This goes to a team in the league which demonstrates franchise stability and significant contributions to its community and the league. In 2019, the team will host the Carolina League All-Star Classic presented by Visit Frederick. For more information about the Frederick Keys please contact Geoff Arnold by phone at (301)-815-9915 or by emailing at GArnold@FrederickKeys.com.
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