Rodriguez Fuels Ninth Inning Keys Rally
July 23, 2015 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release
Woodbridge, Va. -Helped out by the wildness of Manny Rodriguez, the Frederick Keys scored twice in the top of the ninth to top the Potomac Nationals 3-1 on Thursday night at Pfitzner Stadium. The victory gives the Keys their third straight series win for the first time in 2015, and moves the club two games over .500 (15-13) in the second-half.
The Nationals duo of Lucas Giolito and Justin Amlung retired 13 of 14 Keys batters from the fourth through eighth innings, but command woes by Rodriguez (1-2) set the table for a ninth inning rally. Back-to-back walks by Jeff Kemp and Tad Gold opened the inning, while a bunt single by Adrian Marin loaded the bases for Wynston Sawyer. Rodriguez jumped ahead in the count 1-2, but misfired on a breaking ball in the dirt allowing Kemp to score. Sawyer struck out, before a third free to Conor Bierfeldt forced a pitching change.
Facing Brian Dupra, Tanner Witt gave the Keys their second run thanks to a well executed bunt. With Gold charging towards the plate, Frederick's nine-hole man sent a ball down the first baseline to make it a 3-1 game.
The Nationals rallied in the home ninth, as Cody Wheeler plunked Spencer Kieboom and walked Drew Ward. However the Keys closer battled back, striking out Stephen Perez before a head-scratching bunt by Alec Keller ended the game.
Neither David Hess nor Giolito factored into the decision, despite both delivering six innings of one-run baseball. Giolito's lone mistake came on a solo homer by Chance Sisco in the first inning, the first longball the right-hander had given up all season.
Held to one hit in their first four innings, the P-Nats tied the game against Hess in the fifth, after a walk by Perez, a wild pitch and an RBI double by Keller. Turning in his fourth quality start of the season, Hess surrendered only three hits, walked two and struck out six.
Donnie Hart (4-0) picked up the win for the orange and black, tossing two shutout innings of one-hit baseball. Rodriguez suffered the loss, giving up two runs on a hit and three walks.
The Keys go for a three-game sweep of the P-Nats on Friday at Pfitzner Stadium. Left-hander Matt Taylor (0-0, 3.47) makes the start for the Keys and will be opposed by right-hander Phillips Valdez (3-2, 4.53). First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m and fans can listen to the broadcast on 1450 AM The Source and frederickkeys.com. The Keys return home on Saturday at 6:00 p.m, when the Winston-Salem Dash come to town. It is Christmas in July, and there will be a Zach Britton Bobblehead giveaway sponsored by Flying Dog Brewery. There will also be postgame fireworks. For tickets, fans can contact 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.
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