CarL1 Frederick Keys

Keys Done in by Four-Run First

Published on July 2, 2014 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release


FREDERICK, MD -For the second straight evening, the Frederick Keys and the Salem Red Sox played a rain-shortened game, however on Wednesday night the visitors prevailed by a 6-2 count. Halted due to rain after 7.5 innings, the Sox used a four-run first to claim their 40th win of the year and force a rubber match on Thursday night at the Grove. On the mound, Cody Kukuk held the Keys off balance, as Frederick managed only four hits on the game.

Salem set the tone on the fourth pitch of the game. Facing Parker Bridwell, Salem leadoff batter Matty Johnson homered off the second level of billboards in rightfield. Michael Miller followed with a single to center, while walks to Jantzen Witte and Carson Blair loaded the bases. Coming through in the clutch, Kevin Heller stroked a two-run double to left field, before Mario Martinez brought home Blair to cap-off the four-run inning.

Bridwell (4-7) worked around a trio of baserunners in the next two innings, before Salem stretched its lead to 6-0 in the fourth. The righty struck out Jose Vinicio to begin the stanza, but allowed back-to-back one-out singles to Johnson and Miller. Taking Bridwell nine pitches deep, Witte drove home Johnson, while a wild pitch brought home Miller.

Tagged with the loss, Bridwell allowed six runs on eight hits over four innings. He walked three and struck out six. Wednesday's start ended a string of seven straight quality outings at home, as the Texan suffered his first defeat since May 20.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Keys scratched across their first run. Mike Yastrzemski reached on a walk to begin the inning, stole second, and came around after a single by Jason Esposito and an error by Sox shortstop Jose Vinicio. However, that was all the Keys mustered off Kukuk (2-6), who put together one of his best Carolina League starts of the year. Working five stanzas, he gave up one unearned run on two hits and struck out six. Entering the game with the third-most walks in the circuit, he gave out three free passes.

In the seventh, the orange and black pulled within four on a double by Brenden Webb and a sac-fly by Wynston Sawyer. Unfortunately, that would be Frederick's last trip to bat, as the tarp was called for prior to the start of the home-eighth.

Delayed for just over 20 minutes, the tarp was taken off the field, but like the night before, the field was deemed unplayable.

The Keys and the Red Sox conclude their series on Thursday night. Dylan Bundy (0-0, --) is scheduled to make his fourth minor league rehab start in the finale and will be matched up by Carolina League All-Star Justin Haley (6-3, 2.58). First pitch is slated for 6:00 p.m. from the Grove, and the broadcast can be heard on 1450 AM The Source. For ticket information, fans can call 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 Harry Grove Stadium. For more information about the Frederick Keys please contact Geoff Arnold by phone at (301)-815-9915 or by emailing at GArnold@FrederickKeys.com.

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Carolina League Stories from July 2, 2014


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