CarL1 Frederick Keys

P-Nats Top Keys in Extras

Published on August 27, 2011 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release


In a potential preview of the Northern Division Championship Series, the Potomac Nationals bested the Keys, 5-4, in 13 innings on Friday night. SS Zach Walters hit a RBI double off LHP Chris Petrini in the top of the 13th that proved to be the game winner. With the win, the P-Nats moved to 3 1/2 games back of the Keys for first in the Northern Division second half standings.

Potomac broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning when they plated three runs on three hits in the frame. 1B Steven Souza and C Sandy Leon hit back-to-back RBI singles off LHP Nick Haughian in the inning.

The Nationals scored another run in the fifth to push their lead to four. Nick Haughian exited the contest following the fifth inning. Over his five innings of work, he surrendered four runs on eight hits while walking one and striking out five.

Frederick finally got to P-Nats' starter Paul Demny in the bottom of the fifth. With one down, 1B Michael Flacco reached on an infield single. 3B Dale Mollenhauer followed Flacco with a double down the right field line. With two men in scoring position, C Brian Ward grounded out to short to bring home the Keys first run of the night. DH Bobby Stevens brought home the second run of the inning as he placed a perfect bunt down the third base line for a RBI single.

The Keys trailed by two runs entering the bottom of the eighth. After Brian Ward led off the inning with a single, Paul Demny was relieved by LHP Josh Smoker. Smoker walked the first batter he faced in DH Bobby Stevens. With two on and no out, RF Steve Bumbry put down a sac bunt that moved Stevens to second and Ward to third. 2B Jonathan Schoop stepped to the plate in a clutch spot. Schoop delivered with a two-run triple to right field to tie the game. Schoop, however, took a turn around third and was eventually tagged out by Smoker.

Friday night's contest remained tied at four entering the 13th inning. With two down in the top of the 13th, 1B Steven Souza reached on a walk. C Sandy Leon followed with a single left and SS Zach Walters capped off inning with a RBI double to right field. Leon was thrown out at home to end the inning.

RHP Neil Holland sat the Keys down in order in the 13th to end the game.

Friday night's series opener lasted three hours and 57 minutes, the longest Keys contest in 2011. The 13-innings played by the two clubs matched a season-high for Frederick.

In the losing effort, RHP Kenny Moreland and LHP Jason Gurka each threw three scoreless innings of relief.

Frederick and Potomac will play game two of the three-game series on Saturday night. LHP Nathan Moreau (11-10, 4.42) will start for the Keys while the P-Nats will turn to RHP Erik Davis (0-3, 6.14). First pitch from Harry Grove Stadium is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

Check out the Frederick Keys Statistics

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Carolina League Stories from August 27, 2011


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