Keys Homer Twice, Bested by Black Bears After 10 Run 8th
Published on June 22, 2021 under Major League Baseball Draft League (MLBDL)
Frederick Keys News Release
Morgantown, WV - The Frederick Keys lost the series opener to the West Virginia Black Bears by a final score of 16-8 on Tuesday night. Keys batters launched two home runs over the wall for a second consecutive game and have now homered in the last four contests.
Nick Stewart made his first start in a Keys uniform throwing two innings of no-hit ball, walking four batters. In the 1st after walking Freylin Minyeti, the third baseman was gunned down by Mason Auer trying to advance to third on a fly out. Stewart worked out of a bases loaded jam in the 2nd inning.
The game headed into the 3rd inning a scoreless tie. Garret Spain led off with a double and advanced to third on a wild pitch. He would come home to score on a deep fly out to left by Minyeti. The Black Bears added another run on two extra base hits in the 4th to take a 2-0 lead.
The Keys answered in the 5th inning as leadoff man Anthony Herron Jr. blasted his second home run of the season. Jake Plastiak reached on an error and then stole second base. He was singled home by Yareb Martinez, who was stranded at third to end the inning.
In a 2-2 game, the Keys offense continued to roll in the 6th. Singles by Zach Dezenzo and Max Ryerson put runners at first and second. Ryerson's single extended his on base streak to 11 games. Herron Jr. then walked to load the bases. With two outs and two strikes, Martinez got a hold of a ball and pushed a line drive to right-center. Dezenzo and Ryerson scored easily, and after the ball was booted in centerfield, Herron Jr. would come home without a throw on the two run single. JP Fullerton then knocked a double to centerfield to bring home Martinez and give the Keys a 6-2 lead.
The Keys bullpen struggles continued as the bullpen blew two leads in the ballgame, the first coming in the 7th. Eight Black Bears hitters came to the plate as they scored four runs on just two hits. Cristian Sanchez would give way to Brodie Cooper-Vassalakis midway through the inning.
Frederick regained a lead in the 8th to jump ahead two runs. Herron Jr. reached base for the third time in the game, singling to right field. Ahead in the count 2-1, Plastiak then blasted his first home run of the season to give the Keys an 8-6 lead.
The Keys two run lead would quickly diminish in the 8th as West Virginia plated 10 runs on six hits in the frame to take a 16-8 lead. 14 men would come to the plate, including the first five batters of the Black Bears lineup batting twice. West Virginia scored eight runs with two outs. Three Frederick arms were used to get through the inning with Jack Enger used as the mop-up man to finish the inning off. The biggest hit of the Black Bears big 8th was a two out grand slam by Tucker Mitchell.
The Keys continue their three game series with West Virginia on Wednesday. Frederick returns home on Friday for another three game series with the Trenton Thunder. Single game tickets are available online at FrederickKeys.com or by calling the box office at 301-815-9939. On Friday night the Keys host the annual American Cancer Society, wearing custom jerseys with names of Keys fans who have battled with cancer. Brian Baumgartner who played Kevin Malone on the Office will make a guest appearance on Saturday night. For information on special ticket packages please call the group sales office at 301-815-9900. Single game tickets begin as low as $10 and are going quickly so don't hesitate to call for your tickets today!
Major League Baseball Draft League Stories from June 22, 2021
- Keys Homer Twice, Bested by Black Bears After 10 Run 8th - Frederick Keys
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