Keys Outhit Black Bears in 4-3 Loss, Homer for 6th Straight Game
Published on June 24, 2021 under Major League Baseball Draft League (MLBDL)
Frederick Keys News Release
Morgantown, WV - The Frederick Keys lost the series finale against the West Viriginia Black Bears by a final score of 4-3 on Thursday night at Monongalia County Ballpark. The Keys homered twice in the game and have now homered in six straight games. They have hit 10 home runs since last Friday night's game against the Trenton Thunder.
The Keys scored first in the game in the top half of the 2nd inning. Frederick is now 2-5 in contests when scoring the first run. After reaching via a single Jake Plastiak was moved to third base on a double by Anthony Herron Jr. Tremaine Spears grounded out to third base and brought Plastiak across for the first run of the game.
In the bottom half of the 2nd Keys starter Luke Anderson ran into trouble. Anderson fanned the first three batters of the game that he faced and entered the 2nd inning on a high note. After a leadoff walk, single by Kaeber Rog left runners at first and third with no one out. On a pitch in the dirt, catcher JP Fullerton had trouble finding the ball and two runners scored on the wild pitch, giving West Virginia the lead.
The 2nd inning continued as Jake Reinhardt lifted a ball to centerfield which a diving Mason Auer was unable to come up with. Auer however was quick to throw a strike to home plate, to catch Kevin Dowdell who attempted to score from second on the bloop single. A bases loaded single to Garrett Spain saw Anderson's night come to an end after an inning and two thirds of work.
Reliever Dwayne Marshall pitched well for the Keys in his second time out of the bullpen this season. The right hander got a strike out to end the 2nd inning. He allowed a lead off double to Tucker Mitchell, who was cut down on a great relay by Auer and Tyler Doanes trying to extend the double into three bases. Marshall finished with four strikeouts in two and a third innings of work.
Frederick was able to out hit the Black Bears in the game 7-5 and had four extra base hits including Herron Jr.'s double and a triple by Doanes.
In the top of the 5th, Auer came to the plate as the leadoff man in the Keys lineup with one out in the inning. On a 2-2 pitch, Auer launched his second home run of the season to cut West Virginia's lead 4-2.
Zach Dezenzo added a moon shot of his own an inning later, knocking the ball out of the park at 104 MPH. The Keys trailed 4-3 after the shortstop's homer closed the scoring for the game.
Frederick's bullpen was able to pitch six and third innings of scoreless ball after the early exit of Anderson. Anderson, Marshall, Francois Castillo, Adam McKillican, and Anthony Defrancesco combined for 15 strikeouts in the game, one short of the Keys' season high. Defrancesco struck out the side in the 8th to give the Keys a chance at the win.
In the 9th, Herron Jr. singled with one out and then stole second. He advanced to third on a wild pitch with Spears at the plate. The Keys were unable to score Herron Jr. as Spears flew out, and Eddie McCabe struck out looking to end the game.
Kevin Jimenez saw the Keys longest hitting streak of the season come to a close at 7 games after an 0-4 night.
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 24, 2021
- Black Bears Beat Keys to Take the Series - West Virginia Black Bears
- Spikes Dealt 5-2 Defeat at Scrappers' Hands on Thursday Night - State College Spikes
- Keys Outhit Black Bears in 4-3 Loss, Homer for 6th Straight Game - Frederick Keys
- Thunder No-Hitter Thwarted; Cutters Drop Series Finale - Williamsport Crosscutters
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