Frederick Keys Report
Published on May 1, 2003 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release
The Keys are 7-15 on the 2003 season and are currently 8 games behind division leader Lynchburg in the Carolina League Northern Division. The Keys took 2 of 3 games from the Potomac Cannons at Harry Grove Stadium (4/25-27), winning Game 1, 5-2, and Game 3, 9-6. In between, the Keys were shutout by the Cannons, 3-0. The Keys began a 7-game road trip on April 28 in Wilmington, DE. In that series, the Blue Rocks swept the Keys three-straight games, outscoring the Keys 31-2 during the series. Thursday, the Keys begin a 4-game set with the Potomac Cannons in Woodbridge, VA, before returning to Frederick for a 3-game series with the Kinston Indians.
Roster Update
A number of roster moves have taken place during the past week. Right-handed pitcher Ben Knapp was transferred to Class A Delmarva and right-handed pitcher David Farren was assigned to the Keys. In addition, right-handed pitcher joined the Keys from the Detroit Tigers organization and was placed on the Inactive List. Today, catcher Henry Guerrero, who was batting .200 in 4 games, was transferred to extended spring training. In his place, catcher Eric Seestedt was assigned from Class AAA Ottawa to the Keys. Seestedt started the season with the Keys and has played in 5 games between Ottawa and Frederick, batting .167.
Crouthers Counting Them Out
In the 3-0 loss at Wilmington on Thursday, April 30, right-handed starting pitcher Dave Crouthers set the Keys 2003 season record by recording 9 strikeouts. The previous high, set on April 25 against Potomac, was 7. That mark was also held by Crouthers.
Cliffords Catching Fire
In his last five games, center fielder Woody Cliffords is batting .375 in 16 at-bats. During that 5-game span, Cliffords has 6 hits, including 1 run scored. In his last ten games, Cliffords is batting .333 with 1 home run and 2 RBI. For the season, Cliffords has a .312 batting average and leads the team with 3 home runs. In addition, Cliffords has made just 1 error in 22 games played in center field.
Pitching Woes
Coming into their 4-game series at Potomac, the Keys are last in the Carolina League in pitching with a team ERA of 6.22. The Keys have walked 105 batters on the year, the most in the Carolina League by 16 walks, and have recorded only 146 strikeouts, next to last in the Carolina League in front of Salem with 144 strikeouts.
Farren Fitting In
In his first appearance on the season in a Keys uniform, right-handed relief pitcher David Farren struck out 6 batters in 3.0 innings of work on Monday, April 28, against the Wilmington Blue Rocks in Wilmington, DE. With that mark, Farren holds the season high for number of strikeouts by a reliever. Currently, Farren is 0-0 with a 6.00 ERA.
League Leaders
The Keys currently have only 1 player in the Carolina League Top 10 for batting and pitching. Gary Cates is 10th in the Carolina League in batting with a .325 average over 19 games and 77 at-bats. Cates has 25 hits on the year and 7 RBI. With the recent addition of second baseman Omar Rogers, Cates has played a variety of positions recently, including left field, shortstop, and third base. Outfielder Alex Gordon still holds the Carolina League lead with 3 triples. On the wrong end of the spectrum, right-handed starting pitcher Richard Bartlett leads the league with 5 home runs allowed.
I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up
On April 28, second baseman Eric Shanks was placed on the Disabled List. Taking his place on the roster was outfielder Adam Manley, who had been placed on the Disabled List on April 15. His first hit since coming off the DL was a solo home run in the Keys 12-1 loss at Wilmington.
Attendance Report
In 12 home games this season, the Frederick Keys have drawn 34,874 fans to Harry Grove Stadium, placing them second in the Carolina League behind Wilmington for the most number of visitors on the season. The Keys are averaging 2,906 fans a game, also good for second in the Carolina League.
Carolina League Stories from May 1, 2003
- Rocks Continue Hot Streak with Seventh Straight Win - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Mudcats Shut Out - Carolina Mudcats
- Keys Take Game 1 Against Cannons, 5-2 - Frederick Keys
- Hogs drop game 7-2 to Wilmington - Winston-Salem Dash
- Frederick Keys Report - Frederick Keys
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
