CarL1 Frederick Keys

Tyler Townsend's Two-Run Shot Propels Keys to Victory

Published on May 7, 2011 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release


On a beautiful May evening in Frederick, the Keys won their fifth straight game as they defeated the Wilmington Blue Rocks, 3-1. 1B Tyler Townsend hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning that gave the Keys a lead they would not relinquish. RHP Ryohei Tanaka and RHP Sean Gleason did not allow a hit over four innings of relief against Wilmington. With the win, Frederick improves to 15-13 on the year and are now just one game back of the Blue Rocks for first place in the Northern Division.

After missing his last scheduled start due to shoulder stiffness, RHP Ryan O'Shea got the nod for the Keys on Saturday night. O'Shea ran into trouble in his first inning of work. 2B Whit Merrifield led the game off with a double to left field. LF Carlo Testa followed with a bunt single. SS Rey Navarro grounded into a fielder's choice but Merrifield scored on the play to give Wilmington the lead before Frederick even stepped to the plate.

O'Shea finished up his night allowing one run on five hits over five innings. He struck out three and walked two over the course of his outing.

Wilmington turned to RHP Tim Melville in game three of the series. Frederick failed to score in the first four innings against Melville. Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the fifth, the Keys finally got on the board. With one out, RF Jacob Julius reached on a walk. While C Brian Ward was the plate, Julius swiped second base for his third steal of the year. Ward, the hero on Friday night, singled to left to place men on the corners. SS Michael Rooney followed Ward. With Rooney at the dish, Melville uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Julius to score from third to tie the game at one.

Tyler Townsend broke the tie ballgame in the bottom of the sixth. With one down and 2B LJ Hoes on first, Townsend blasted a Melville pitch over the center field wall for his sixth home run of the season.

The two-run lead was plenty as the Frederick bullpen slammed the door shut. Ryohei Tanaka entered for O'Shea in the sixth. Tanaka struck out two and did not allow a hit over three innings of relief. Sean Gleason tossed a scoreless ninth en route to his sixth save of the season. Tanaka improved to 1-0 while Melville fell to 2-4.

Frederick will try to sweep the four-game series from the Blue Rocks on Sunday afternoon in Frederick. RHP Oliver Drake (2-0, 1.02) will toe the rubber for the Keys while Wilmington will turn to LHP Justin Marks (1-1, 7.71).

First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. on Mother's Day at Harry Grove Stadium. A special Mother's Day brunch is available on Sunday in the Mattress Warehouse Club. In addition, it will be Sunday Funday presented by Dick's Sporting Goods. Fans can enjoy catch on the outfield from 1:00-1:30 p.m. as well as get autographs from their favorite Keys players.

For tickets contact the Keys Box Office at 1-877-8-GO-KEYS or purchase online at www.frederickkeys.com.

Check out the Frederick Keys Statistics

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Carolina League Stories from May 7, 2011


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