CarL1 Frederick Keys

Keys Avoid Sweep

Published on August 14, 2014 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release


WILMINGTON, DE -The Frederick Keys used a big fourth inning, and strong pitching from Branden Kline, Miguel Chalas and Dennis Torres to defeat the Wilmington Blue Rocks 4-1 on Thursday night at Frawley Stadium. With the victory the Keys avoided the three-game sweep, to improve to 54-64 on the year and 22-29 in the second-half CL North standings. Johnny Ruettiger drove in three of the four Keys runs, while Tucker Nathans recorded three hits in the final encounter between the two clubs in 2014.

Shutout in both ends of a doubleheader on Wednesday, the Keys left runners in scoring position in the first and second, before finding their groove in the fourth. Facing Johnny Walter, Jason Esposito opened the inning with a double and scooted to third on a single by Nathans. That set up an RBI chance for Wynston Sawyer, who brought Esposito home on a sac-fly. That evened the game at 1-1 after Raul Mondesi doubled home Daniel Rockett the inning before.

Sawyer's sac-fly ended a string of 20 straight innings without a run for the Keys, who had not scored since the bottom of the fifth inning on Sunday. Frederick would eventually load the bases after a single by Brenden Webb and a walk to Jerome Pena. Trying to snap an 0-for-14 skid, Ruettiger did just that, with a base knock to left which scored a pair. In the inning, all nine starters would come to bat.

Kline (8-6) worked into the sixth inning, before being replaced by Miguel Chalas with one out. Tossing 5.1 stanzas, the former Virginia standout, allowed one run on eight hits. He walked two and struck out four, becoming the first Keys pitcher to reach eight wins.

Holding a 3-1 lead, the Keys added insurance in the sixth, on a solo homer by Ruettiger which just stayed inside the rightfield foul pole. It was his first home run of the season. In the game, seven of the nine members of the starting lineup recorded at least one hit, while four finished with two hits.

Chalas surrendered only one hit over 2.2 innings and Torres worked a clean ninth inning to pick up his fifth save. Walter (5-8) suffered the loss for the Rocks. Over 3.2 innings he gave up three runs on seven hits and walked two.

The Keys begin a three-game homestand against the Lynchburg Hillcats on Friday night. Matt Taylor (5-2, 2.36) makes the start for the Keys and will be countered by Hillcats righty Cody Scarpetta (3-6, 4.25). First pitch is slated for 7:00 p.m. and the broadcast can be heard on 1450 AM The Source. For tickets, fans can call 301-815-9939 or visit frederickkeys.com.

Check out the Frederick Keys Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Carolina League Stories from August 14, 2014


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.

OurSports Central