Missed Opportunities Cost Sox in 7-6 Setback

Frederick, MD (July 16, 2012) - Johnny Ruettiger and Trent Mummey each delivered a home run among their dual four-hit nights to lead the Keys past the Red Sox 7-6 on Monday evening at Harry Grove Stadium. Salem rallied for two in the top of the ninth and put the potential tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position with two outs, but David Walters struck out Sean Coyle to end the game, sending the Sox to their fourth consecutive loss. Michael Almanzar homered and Brandon Workman racked up a career-best ten punchouts, but Salem stranded 11 men on base and fell for the 18th time in the last 25 games.

Although the Sox had been shutout in their last two games, the offense awakened with three runs in the top of the first against Keys starter Tim Berry. Travis Shaw's two-out double commenced the rally, with Brandon Jacobs' RBI single giving the Sox a 1-0 lead prior to Almanzar's two-run jack that made it 3-0.

Frederick countered quickly, scoring one in the last of the first and four in the third to surge in front. Mummey launched a two-run bomb off Workman to tie the score at three, while Steve Bumbry drilled another two-run blast later in the inning to give the Keys a 5-3 lead.

Salem inched within one in the fifth when Felix Sanchez created an infield single, stole second and third, and scored on Heiker Meneses' sacrifice fly, but down 5-4, the Sox would never discover the equalizer.

The Sox loaded the bases in the sixth and eighth innings, coming up empty in both frames. Frederick increased its lead with single runs off Pete Ruiz in the seventh and eighth innings, a pair of insurance runs that proved to be the difference.

In the ninth, Shannon Wilkerson's infield single prefaced Brandon Jacobs' RBI double, bringing the Sox within two. After Almanzar walked and Christian Vazquez grounded into a fielder's choice, Adalberto Ibarra's two-out single brought home Jacobs and moved Vazquez to third. With the tying run 90 feet from home, Walters emerged and struck out the only batter he faced to earn the save.

Berry earned the victory for Frederick, permitting four runs on five hits in five innings to beat the Sox for the second time in as many starts. Meanwhile, Workman suffered the loss, slipping to 7-5, despite fanning ten in six innings. Workman allowed five runs on nine hits, walking a pair among his 93 pitches (60 strikes).

Salem and Frederick reunite on Tuesday, with Miguel Celestino set to oppose former University of Virginia righthander Tyler Wilson. First pitch is set for 7 PM.