Four-Run Seventh Rallies Keys Past Sox 5-4

Salem, VA (August 31, 2012) - The Keys scored four times with two outs in the top of the seventh, transforming a 4-1 deficit into a 5-4 lead and spoiling Salem's search for a fifth straight victory on Friday night at LewisGale Field. Jeremy Nowak and Travis Adair each delivered clutch two-run doubles to put Frederick in front, and the Keys hung on for the slim 5-4 victory to salvage the finale of the four-game series. Devin Jones tossed his final pitch when his team trailed 4-1 in the last of the sixth, but still earned the win to improve to 7-1 as a result of the Keys' seventh inning rally.

Miguel Celestino pitched well enough to win for Salem, but received a no decision in his final start of the 2012 season. Celestino allowed one run on four hits over five innings, lowering his ERA to 4.68, but the bullpen could not hang on to the lead. Scott Swinson surrendered three runs on two hits and two walks in an inning and two-thirds, while Marco Duarte gave up the game-changing double to Adair that put the gave the Keys the lead for good.

The Keys scratched their only run against Celestino in the first inning, but the Sox early deficit would be short-lived thanks to Brandon Jacobs two-run homer, a missile sent over the center-field fence for his second homer in as many nights. Jacobs now owns 13 home runs on the season.

Up 2-1 after one inning, Salem added single runs in the fourth and sixth innings to surge ahead 4-1. Matty Johnson's bases loaded fielder's choice grounder plated David Chester in the fourth, while Chester doubled home Sean Coyle in the sixth.

With two outs in the top of the seventh, the Keys had gone 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position, missing numerous opportunities through the first six innings. But with two gone and a 2-2 count to Nowak, the Keys right fielder ripped a two-run double into the right field corner. Two batters later, Adair smoked a 3-1 fastball to the gap in left-center, giving the Keys a lead that would not be relinquished.

The loss drops the Sox to 67-67-1 on the season with three games remaining. Salem concludes its 2012 campaign with three home games against Winston-Salem on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

Matt Barnes will take the mound for the final time this year on Saturday evening against Winston's Scott Snodgress, with the first pitch set for 6:05.