CarL1 Frederick Keys

Great Pitching Leads Keys to Doubleheader Sweep

Published on May 3, 2017 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release


FREDERICK, MD -Brian Gonzalez and Cristian Alvarado delivered terrific starts to guide the Frederick Keys (14-12) to a doubleheader sweep of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (14-12) on Tuesday night at Nymeo Field. Earning a 2-1 victory in game one, Gonzalez came one out away from his first professional complete game. In the nightcap, Alvarado went the distance, while the Keys exploded for a big third inning.

Pelicans starter Ryan Kellogg matched Gonzalez (2-2) pitch for pitch over the first three innings, with the former setting down 11 straight batters until the fourth. With two outs in the frame, the Keys posted three straight singles, with the final one from Steve Laurino giving the home team a 1-0 lead.

Myrtle Beach countered with a solo home run by Adonis Paula in the top of the fifth, before the Keys broke the deadlock in the sixth. Ryan Mountcastle opened the inning with a double and Randolph Gassaway singled to put runners at the corners for Yermin Mercedes. Falling behind 0-2, the Keys designed hitter hit a groundball to third that went under the glove of Jesse Hodges to bring in the go-ahead run.

Back out for the seventh, Gonzalez walked the leadoff batter before retiring the next two hitters on a strikeout and a flyout. Keys manager Keith Bodie elected to bring on Jay Flaa who allowed a double to Connor Myers to put the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position. However Flaa struck out Bryant Flete to end the game.

Gonzalez earned his second win in as many starts, delivering 6.2 innings of one-run baseball. He scattered five hits, walked two and struck out seven. Kellogg (1-1) went the distance for the Pelicans in a tough loss. Over six innings he gave up two runs on seven hits. He struck out one. Flaa earned his second save of the year, while recording the final out.

In game two, the Keys offense started early and did not look back. With two in scoring position in the first, Gassaway added a two-run single, before the offense exploded for five in the second. This included a solo blast by Mountcastle as well as a two-run shot by Ademar Rifaela off Kyle Miller. Later in the inning, Ricardo Andujar added an RBI single with men at first and second, while a base knock by Stevie Wilkerson completed the scoring.

That would be plenty of support for Alvarado (2-2) who tossed his third career complete game and first by a Keys pitcher since June 2016. Working seven innings of two-run baseball, the right-hander allowed six hits, struck out five and did not walk a batter. His only two mistakes came on solo homers to Paula and Robert Garcia.

Miller (0-1) suffered the loss, surrendering seven runs (three earned) in 2.2 innings.

The Keys and Pelicans conclude their series on Wednesday morning. Right-hander Ofelky Peralta (0-0, 7.07) starts for the Keys and will be opposed by righty Adbert Alzolay (2-4, 2.49). First pitch is at 11:00 a.m and the game will be broadcast on 1450 AM The Source, frederickkeys.com and the TuneIn radio app. For tickets fans call the team at 301-815-9939 or visit frederickkeys.com.

The Frederick Keys are the Advanced-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, and play their home games at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium. In 2016, the Keys received the Esurance Home Field Advantage Award for Carolina League after pacing the league in attendance for the fifth consecutive season. During that stretch, Frederick has also led all of Advanced-A baseball in attendance. For more information about the Frederick Keys please contact Geoff Arnold by phone at (301)-815-9915 or by emailing at GArnold@FrederickKeys.com. www.FrederickKeys.com- Geoff Arnold Director of Broadcasting and Public Relations Frederick Keys Baltimore Orioles Class A Advanced GArnold@frederickkeys.com 301-815-9915 (work) 610-324-3432 (cell)

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Carolina League Stories from May 3, 2017


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