Keys Inch Closer to Carolina League Crown
September 15, 2011 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release
The Keys are one win away from claiming their fourth Mills Cup in franchise history as Frederick defeated the Kinston Indians, 7-3, on Thursday night at Historic Grainger Stadium. Trailing by a pair of runs entering the fifth inning, the Keys plated three runs on four hits in the frame and would not relinquish the lead for the remainder of the night. Frederick added insurance runs in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings as they eventually cruised to the game three victory. With the win, the Keys lead the best-of-five Mills Cup Championship Series, 2-1.
Kinston took the lead on one swing of the bat in the bottom of the second inning. DH Jeremie Tice led off the inning with an infield single. 1B Jesus Aguilar then homered to left-center field, his fourth home runs in his last four post-season games and the Indians led 2-0.
Frederick would rally with their biggest inning of the series in the fifth inning. After C Brian Ward singled to lead off the inning he would move to second base on a sacrifice bunt. Then RF Bobby Stevens picked up his first hit of the series with an RBI-double to left-center field bringing home Ward with the Keys first run. With two men retired, 2B Jonathan Schoop singled softly to right field bringing home the tying run. SS Manny Machado then doubled sharply on the ground down the left field line to grab the lead for Frederick at 3-2.
LF Glynn Davis crossed home plate in the seventh inning via a wild pitch. Davis' run put Frederick in front by two runs after seven innings. The Keys added another run in the eighth and two more in the ninth as they took game three, 7-3.
Scott Copeland picked up his second win of the postseason after he allowed two runs on three hits over five innings of work. Ryan Berry had another solid performance out the bullpen. Berry tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings on the night. In 6 1/3 innings pitched this postseason, Berry has not allowed a run to score. Sean Gleason closed out the contest for the Keys.
Manny Machado and Bobby Stevens each drove in two runs on the night while Jonathan Schoop went 3-for-5 with a RBI.
The Keys will look to clinch their fourth Carolina League title in franchise history on Friday night when they turn to RHP Ryohei Tanaka. Kinston will counter with LHP Francisco Jimenez. First pitch from Historic Grainger Stadium is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Friday night.
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Carolina League Stories from September 15, 2011
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