Bizarre Finish in Frederick's Loss to P-Nats
May 18, 2011 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release
The Keys fell to the Potomac Nationals, 6-3, on Wednesday night in one of the oddest finishes to a baseball game one may ever see. With the count 1-2 to pinch hitter Jacob Julius and two down in the bottom of the ninth, the skies opened up and the tarp was put on the field. After a 51-minute rain delay, the game was officially ruled a final. The Nationals defeated the Keys and put an end to the Frederick eight-game home winning streak. Combined with the loss to Potomac and Wilmington's two victories on Wednesday afternoon, the Keys and Blue Rocks are once again tied atop the Northern Division standings.
Potomac struck first with a RBI double from DH Destin Hood in the top of the first off of LHP Nathan Moreau. The Nationals scored three more runs in the second to give them a four-run advantage after two innings on Wednesday evening.
Frederick got to Nationals starter in the third when red hot Buck Britton stepped to the plate with one on and one out. Britton hit a two-run blast over the right field fence to cut the Keys' deficit to two runs. Britton has tallied 15 RBI in his last seven games and has 27 on the season, tops on the team.
The Nationals pushed their lead back out to four runs when they scored two runs in the fifth without a hit. SS Jose Lozada came home on a fielder's choice by 1B Steven Souza and 3B Justin Bloxom scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of LF J.P. Ramirez. Potomac led 6-2 after five frames.
LHP Nathan Moreau exited the contest during the fifth inning. Over 4.1 innings pitched, Moreau allowed six runs, five earned, on five hits while striking out six and walking three.
The Keys did not score again until the bottom of the ninth when the rains began to fall at Harry Grove Stadium. 1B Tyler Kolodny crossed home after 3B Dale Mollenhauer grounded out to first. With two out, Jacob Julius pinch hit for C Luis Bernardo. With RHP Marcos Frias on the hill and the count 1-2, a down pour of rain called for the tarp to be put on the field. After a 51-minute rain delay, the field was deemed unplayable and the game was called.
Rafael Martin picked up the win for the P-Nats out of their bullpen while Nathan Moreau fell to 3-3 on the year. LHP Nick Haughian pitched well in relief in the losing effort. Haughian tossed 3.2 scoreless innings after he replaced Moreau in the fifth.
The Keys and Nationals have a quick turnaround as they will play an 11 a.m. matinee on Thursday in Frederick. RHP Ryan O'Shea (3-1, 1.93) will get the nod for Frederick on History Day while Potomac will turn to LHP Danny Rosenbaum (1-1, 2.28).
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Carolina League Stories from May 18, 2011
- Bizarre Finish in Frederick's Loss to P-Nats - Frederick Keys
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