Clutch Play by Kneeland Helps Keys Top Nationals
May 20, 2016 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release
FREDERICK, Md. - A game-saving play by Cam Kneeland in the top of the eighth inning helped the Keys maintain their one-run advantage and hang on for a 4-3 win on Friday night at Nymeo Field. At the plate, Erick Salcedo carried the Keys going 3-for-3 with his first professional home run as the orange and black claimed just their second one-run victory of the year.
Potomac threatened to tie the game in the eighth inning, but a clutch putout by Kneeland denied the opportunity. The Nationals put runners on the corners with no outs to leadoff the frame thanks to a walk and a double. An RBI groundout by Alec Keller scored one to cut the lead to 4-3. The next batter, Bryan Mejia, flied out to the right fielder Kneeland, who threw out Raudy Read trying to tag up and score.
The Keys took a 2-1 lead in the third inning as Salcedo hit a solo home run over the rightfield wall. It was his first longball after going his first 1,348 at-bats without one. Salcedo's longball also extended his hitting streak to six games.
The homer gave the Keys the lead for good, after both sides exchanged runs in the second inning. Following an Alec Keller solo homer, Austin Wynns added a two-out RBI single which leveled the game.
In the fourth, the Keys extended their lead to 3-1 thanks to some heads-up baserunning from Steve Wilkerson. The Georgian doubled to lead off the fourth against Wirkin Estevez and reached third on a flyout during the next at-bat. Wynston Sawyer then hit a soft grounder that the catcher fielded, allowing Wilkerson to take home before Read could apply a tag on the return throw home.
The Nationals scored one run in the fifth inning courtesy of a sacrifice fly from Khayyan Norfork, which scored Dale Carey. Carey got on base via a single to start the inning.
Josh Hart extended the Keys lead to 4-2 in the sixth with a RBI single that scored Salcedo, who reached base thanks to a one-out single.
Starting pitcher Lucas Long departed the game after seven innings and picked up the win. He allowed six hits, two runs, one earned, and three strikeouts. For Long (2-2) it was his fifth quality start of the year. Estevez (0-3) took the loss, surrendering four runs on seven hits in five innings. Jimmy Yacabonis worked the final 1.2 innings to garner his fourth save.
On Saturday, the Keys will take on the Nationals in game two of the four-game set. Lefty John Means (4-0, 2.09) makes the start for the Keys while right-hander Erick Fedde (2-3, 6.62) starts for the P-Nats. First pitch is slated for 6 pm while the broadcast can be heard on 1450 AM The Source and frederickkeys.com. It is Superhero Night at the ballpark and the first 1,000 fans will receive an IronManny Machado Bobblehead presented by Flying Dog Brewery. There will also be postgame fireworks. For tickets, fans can call the box office at 301-815-9939 or visit frederickkeys.com.
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