CarL1 Frederick Keys

Blue Rocks Rally to Defeat Keys, 9-8

Published on June 9, 2003 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release


Keys closer Sendy Rleal (3-3) gave up back-to-back home runs in the 9th inning, and the Frederick Keys (23-37) fell for the fourth straight time to the Wilmington Blue Rocks, 9-8, in front of 4,135 fans at Harry Grove Stadium on Monday, June 9. The Keys have now lost two straight overall and six of seven to the Blue Rocks on the season.

Trailing 8-7 going into the top of the 9th inning, Blue Rocks right fielder Justin Cowan hit the first pitch from Rleal to deep left field to tie the game at eight. First baseman Chris Fallon immediately followed with a blast of his own to right field to give Wilmington the lead for good. Right-handed reliever Matt Burch came on in the bottom of the 9th to retire the Keys in order.

Wilmington started the scoring in the game, getting two runs in the 1st inning off of Keys starter Dave Farren. The Keys answered back in the bottom half of the inning, getting five runs on a two RBI base hit by third baseman Tripper Johnson and a three-run home run by centerfielder Adam Manley, his 5th of the season. Wilmington left fielder Trey Dyson hit a two-run home run in the 3rd inning to cut the Keys lead to one run.

The Blue Rocks took a brief one-run lead in the 4th inning, scoring two runs, but Keys catcher Kyle Martin tied the game back up on a RBI base hit in the bottom half of the inning. A two RBI triple by Johnson gave the Keys an 8-6 lead heading into the 8th inning, and the Blue Rocks cut the lead to one in the 8th before going ahead for good in the 9th.

Rleal got the loss for the Keys, his third of the season. Blue Rocks reliever Billy Keppinger (2-0) pitched 1.1 innings and gave up no runs and no hits to get his second victory of the season. Johnson was the leading run producer for the Keys, driving in four runs while going 2-for-4 with a single and a triple.

The second game of the three-game series with the Blue Rocks will start on Tuesday, June 10 at 7:15 p.m. at Harry Grove Stadium. The Keys will start left-handed pitcher Rommie Lewis (2-3, 3.15) while Wilmington will send right-handed pitcher Zack Greinke (9-0, 1.17) to the mound in search of his tenth victory of the season. Tuesday's game is Frederick County Keys For Reading night. All Frederick County elementary school students who participated in the Keys For Reading program and read four books will be honored on the field prior to the game in a pre-game parade and celebration. Tickets for Tuesdays' game still remain and can be purchased by calling the Frederick Keys ticket office at 1-877-8-GO-KEYS or visiting the Frederick Keys official website at www.frederickkeys.com.

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Carolina League Stories from June 9, 2003


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