CarL1 Frederick Keys

Keys Rally Falls Short Against Potomac

May 20, 2010 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release


Frederick could not complete the sweep of the Potomac Nationals Thursday afternoon, falling 7-5. Trailing by five heading into the sixth inning, the Keys scored four runs to cut the Nationals lead to one but that was the closest they would get. The P-Nats retired nine straight Keys to end the game. In the loss, Frederick fell to 25-16 on the season while Potomac improved to 18-23.

RHP Oliver Drake made his first start on Thursday since opening night at Harry Grove Stadium on April 13. Drake struggled from the start as he allowed three runs in the first. He allowed an unearned run in the second inning and 1B Bill Rhinehart hit his second homerun of the season off Drake in the third. On the day, Drake allowed five runs, four earned, on six hits over 3.2 innings of work. He walked four and struck out three in the loss.

Trailing 5-0 heading in the bottom of the third, SS Bobby Stevens hit a solo blast off RHP Patrick Lehman to cut the deficit to four runs. Stevens' homerun was his second of the year and was the first hit of the day for the Keys.

Potomac scored another run in the fifth to give them a 6-1 advantage.

The scored remained the same heading into the bottom of the sixth when Frederick put together a big rally. CF Xavier Avery led off the inning with an infield single. LF Kyle Hudson followed up with a single to rightfield. RF Ronnie Welty then walked to load the bases for 1B Joe Mahoney. Mahoney, who had three RBI on Wednesday night, drove the Lehman pitch into right-centerfield for a bases clearing double. The three-run double cut the lead Potomac lead to two. Two batters later, Bobby Stevens singled home Mahoney to bring the Keys within one run.

The Nationals bullpen shut the door on the Keys in the last three innings. Potomac retired nine straight Keys to end the game.

Winners of four straight heading into Thursday's contest, Frederick fell short of their first five-game winning streak since August of 2006.

Oliver Drake fell to 0-1 in the defeat while Patrick Lehman improved to 2-1. RHP Cole Kimball picked up his sixth save in the P-Nats victory.

The Kinston Indians come to town Friday night for a three-game set against the Keys. LHP Rick Zagone (1-4, 3.24) will get the start for Frederick. He will be opposed by LHP Nick Hagadone (0-3, 2.76). First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. on the second annual Negro League Appreciation night. Along with the local chapter of the NAACP, the Keys will honor the great heritage of baseball in the African-American community, nationally and here in Frederick. Fireworks will also follow the game.

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Carolina League Stories from May 20, 2010


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