CarL1 Frederick Keys

P-Nats Edge Keys, 10-9, in Late-Inning Slugfest

Published on June 15, 2013 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release


FREDERICK, MD - The Frederick Keys came from behind twice to tie Potomac Saturday night, but in extra-innings, their furious attempt at a third comeback came up short.

In front of a crowd of 9,294 at Harry Grove Stadium, Frederick fell to the Nationals 10-9 in 10 innings in a wild, late-inning slugfest, despite racking up a season-high 20 hits. The Keys' bullpen allowed seven runs in the ninth and 10th innings, two more than the P-Nats' "˜pen gave up in the final two frames.

After giving up four runs in the top of the 10th, Frederick had the tying-run at second base and the winning run at first with Brenden Webb at the plate, but Greg Holt, who entered the game a batter earlier and gave up a first-pitch RBI single to Jason Esposito, struck Webb out swinging with an off-speed pitch on a 2-2 count.

The Keys' 10th-inning rally, which plated three runs, sent eight batters to the plate. Potomac, however, batted around in the 10th, plating runs on a fielder's choice, a wild pitch on the final ball of an intentional walk and a two-run, two-out single by Jason Martinson.

Matt Price (0-2) took the loss for Frederick after pitching the entire 10th inning. All three outs he recorded came via the strikeout. Wort (1-0) earned the win despite allowing three runs in 1.1 innings and Holt earned a one-out save.

Delvi Cid put the Keys ahead 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth on a two-out RBI double, but David Walters was unable to close the door for Frederick, allowing a solo homer to Cole Leonida to start the inning and a one-out, two-run homer Francisco Soriano, which gave the P-Nats a 6-4 advantage.

Frederick rallied to tie the game in the ninth, Esposito doubling home two runs after Derek Self intentionally walked Michael Ohlman to load the bases with one out and was relieved by Rob Wort. After Esposito's clutch hit, Wort loaded the bases again by intentionally walking Brenden Webb. Against a five-infielder defense, Sammie Starr grounded into a 6-2-3 double play, ending the inning and sending the game to extras.

Before the ninth inning, pitching and defense held the team to eight combined runs, four fewer than the 12 scored in the ninth and 10th. Keys starter Zach Davies threw six innings and allowed six hits and three runs, one earned, while walking one and striking out seven. He finished his evening by striking out the side in order in the sixth.

Good defense and poor baserunning helped Potomac starter Blake Schwartz work around eleven hits over his five innings, during which he allowed three runs, walked one and fanned six. Gene Escat and Richie Mirowski pitched a pair of scoreless innings for the Keys and P-Nats, respectively, before the bullpens were bludgeoned in the final two innings.

Potomac broke a scoreless stalemate in the fourth inning on Martinson's 12th home run of the season and fourth of the series, a solo shot to lead off the frame. A one-out error by third baseman Nicky Delmonico proved costly when Adrian Sanchez followed with a single, Potomac executed a double steal and Randolph Oduber drove in two runs with a two-out single that put the P-Nats ahead 3-0.

Jerome Pena got Frederick on the board in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI single that scored Cid. And with two outs in the inning, Christian Walker tied the game at 3-3 with a two-run homer to left.

Frederick loaded the bases with no outs in the second inning, but left fielder Billy Burns made a diving catch and doubled Jason Esposito off second. Schwartz then fanned Delvi Cid to escape the jam unscathed. Keys catcher Michael Ohlman was also thrown out at the plate to end the fourth, trying to score from second on Starr's single to center field.

Pena finished the game 5-for-6 with a double, four singles and an RBI. Cid, Ohlman and Esposito all had three hits and Delmonico had two. Walker and Esposito drove in three runs each. Potomac totaled 12 hits and four P-Nats had multi-hit games, led by Leonida's three hit performance. Frederick drew 13 walks and left 13 men on base while Potomac walked 12 times and left 10.

The Keys' final game of the first half is tomorrow at 2 p.m. against the P-Nats. For tickets to the Father's Day matinee at Harry Grove Stadium, purchase online at FrederickKeys.com, call 301-815-9939 or visit the Keys' box office at the ballpark.

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Carolina League Stories from June 15, 2013


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