Bizarre Finish Ends in Keys One-Run Win
August 21, 2015 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release
FREDERICK, Md. -A pickoff play gone wrong led to a bizarre finish on Friday night at Nymeo Field, but the Frederick Keys managed to hang on for a 4-3 victory over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Following three straight losses, the orange and black have taken back-to-back games, while the victory allowed the club to keep pace with the Lynchburg Hillcats who remain three games up in the CL North standings.
Leading by a run, Cody Wheeler came on to face the bottom-third of the Pelicans order in the ninth. Pin-Chieh Chen appeared to be the first out, after hitting a pop-up to the mound, but the ball would be dropped by the first baseman Yaisel Mederos, allowing Chen to reach. Daniel Lockhart bunted his teammate to second, before Wheeler struck out Carlos Penalver.
Needing one more out, the decision was made to intentionally walk Chesney Young, the Carolina League's leading hitter and face Ben Carhart instead. However, he never saw a pitch. Trying to pickoff Chen at second, Wheeler uncorked a wild throw to center, allowing Chen to advance to third. Hart's throw from center snuck past Anthony Caronia, while Young began to make a move to second with Wheeler backing up the throw in foul territory. He would fire to Jeff Kemp at second, who chased Young back to first and eventually threw to Mederos who applied a tag to end the game.
The Keys grabbed the lead for good in the home-fifth against Jeremy Null. Jay Gonzalez lined a sinking line drive to center to open the inning which Chen dove for, but missed. That allowed Gonzalez to reach third, before Hart brought him in with a sacrifice fly.
That run erased a three-run Pelicans top of the fifth. With one out and men at first and second, the Pelicans executed a successful double steal to put two in scoring position. Young then coaxed a walk from Luis Gonzalez, before Chen scored on a wild pitch. ACarhart sac-fly made it a one-run game, while Mark Zagunis drove in Young with an RBI single to right. That ended Gonzalez's night, as Matt Taylor plunked Jason Vosler, but struck out Cael Brockmeyer to keep the game tied.
Three of Frederick's four runs came via the longball, as Adrian Marin hit a two-run shot off Null (2-2) in the second, before Wynston Sawyer clubbed a solo homer to center two innings later. Null suffered the loss, giving up four runs on seven hits over five innings.
Taylor (2-2) picked up the win in relief, tossing 1.1 innings of scoreless baseball. Wheeler picked up his league-leading 17th save.
The Keys and Pelicans continue their three-game series on Saturday night at Nymeo Field. Left-hander John Means (0-0, --) makes his Carolina League debut and will be opposed by Pelicans right-hander Paul Blackburn (6-5, 2.99). First pitch is slated for 6:00 p.m and the broadcast can be heard on 1450 AM The Source and frederickkeys.com.
It is Salute to the Orioles Night and the first 1,000 fans will receive a Kevin Gausman bobblehead presented by BayRunner Shuttle. There will also be postgame fireworks sponsored by Rentals Unlimited. For tickets, fans can call the Keys at 301-815-9939 or visit frederickkeys.com.
Carolina League Stories from August 21, 2015
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- Lynchburg Uses Four-Run Third to Win Series Opener - Potomac Nationals
- Ramos Powers Wilmington Past Salem in Series Opener - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Bizarre Finish Ends in Keys One-Run Win - Frederick Keys
- Five-Run Fifth Dooms Red Sox in 7-5 Loss - Salem Red Sox
- Basto, Guerrero Help Dash Increase First-Place - Winston-Salem Dash
- Guerrero and Basto Halt Mudcats' Streak at Four with Series Opening Win - Carolina Mudcats
- Four-Run Third Gives Hillcats 5-2 Win over Potomac - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Former Pelicans Reliever Jon Edwards Traded to Padres - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Pelicans Game Notes: 7:00 p.m. at Frederick Keys - August 21, 2015 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Mario Martinez Activated - Salem Red Sox
- Hillcats Game Notes August 21, 2015, 6:30 p.m. vs. Potomac - Lynchburg Hillcats
- It's Official: Phillies Call up Former Pelican Jerad Eickhoff to Majors - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes (August 21 vs. Carolina) - Winston-Salem Dash
- Wild Pitch Lifts Dash over Pelicans in Finale - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
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