Keys Rally Falls Just Short
Published on July 27, 2016 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release
WINSTON-SALEM, NC -Trailing by six after four innings, the Frederick Keys (52-50/16-16) scored five unanswered runs but could not complete the comeback in a 7-6 loss to the Winston-Salem Dash (43-60/15-18) on Wednesday afternoon at BB&T Ballpark. The loss gave the Dash a three-game sweep.
Winston-Salem jumped out to a 5-0 lead after one inning, as the home team sent 10 to bat. After a Landon Lassiter double opened the frame, Mason Robbins tripled his teammate home. From there, Nick Basto, Marcus Davis and Telvin Nash hit three consecutive home runs. It marked the first time in the Dash era that Winston had gone back-to-back-to-back.
Keys starter Franderlin Romero did not make it out of the first. Working just 0.2 of an inning, the righty allowed five runs on seven hits in a losing effort. Romero (4-6) struck out one before being relieved by Trevor Belicek.
In the second, the Dash extended their lead to a touchdown, following a double, a groundout and a sac-fly by Basto. Two innings later the Keys cracked the scoreboard, courtesy of an Aderlin Rodriguez home run to left, but the Dash regained the lost run in the home fourth. A double by Robbins got Landon Lassiter to third, while the latter scored on a wild pitch.
From there, the Keys bullpen would hold firm. Ryan Meisinger led the charge, working a season-best 3.1 stanzas of one-hit baseball. He struck out five and walked one, while Tanner Chleborad pitched a scoreless eighth. Working 7.1 total innings on Wednesday, Frederick relievers have given up only four runs in their last 23 frames (1.57 ERA).
With the bullpen keeping Dash hitters in check, the Keys offense began to rally. Sending eight men to bat in the sixth, Frederick got two straight singles, a wild pitch and a fielder's choice to get things started. That initial surge forced Winston starter Jordan Stephens out of the game. Taylore Cherry took his place and was greeted rudely, as back-to-back doubles by Ademar Rifaela and Jonah Heim made it a three-run game.
Two more scored for the Keys in the eighth on just one hit. Rodriguez doubled off Jacob Morris, while Cam Kneeland was hit by a pitch. Rifaela grounded out to the right side and moved both men to scoring position, while a wild pitch scored Rodriguez. From there, TJ Olesczuk reached on a throwing error by catcher Brett Austin which also allowed Kneeland to score. Morris then issued a walk but stranded the tying and go-ahead runs on base.
Kelvis Valerio fired a clean ninth inning to earn his third save. Stephens (5-7) got the win, surrendering three runs on six hits in 5.1 innings. He struck out five and did not walk a batter.
The Keys head north to begin a four game series with the Wilmington Blue Rocks on Thursday night. Right-hander Jon Keller (0-0, --) gets the ball for the orange and black and will be opposed by Rocks righty Andy Ferguson (0-1, 10.13). First pitch is slated for 6:35 p.m and the broadcast can be heard on 1450 AM The Source and frederickkeys.com. Frederick returns to Nymeo Field on August 1 when the Myrtle Beach Pelicans come to town. For tickets, fans can call the Keys at 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 Nymeo Field 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.
Carolina League Stories from July 27, 2016
- Pelicans Prevail with 10-7 Series Finale Victory - Carolina Mudcats
- Myrtle Beach Pelicans: Balaguert's Two Home Runs Power Pelicans to 10-7 Win - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Comeback against Wilmington Falls Short, 6-5 - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Tenuta Dominates as Rocks Hold On - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Keys Rally Falls Just Short - Frederick Keys
- Dash Hit Back-To-Back-To-Back Homers in Victory - Winston-Salem Dash
- P-Nats Salvage Series with 2-1 Win - Potomac Nationals
- Salem Falls 2-1 To Potomac - Salem Red Sox
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