FREDERICK, MD-The Frederick Keys (42-52/ 11-14) collected their fourth consecutive win in an 8-2 rout of the Wilmington Blue Rocks (53-44/ 14-13) on Thursday night at Nymeo Field. Three Keys pitchers combined to strike out 16 batters, tying a season-high set back on May 5 against Carolina.In a winning effort,
FREDERICK, MD-The Frederick Keys (42-52/ 11-14) collected their fourth consecutive win in an 8-2 rout of the Wilmington Blue Rocks (53-44/ 14-13) on Thursday night at Nymeo Field. Three Keys pitchers combined to strike out 16 batters, tying a season-high set back on May 5 against Carolina.
In a winning effort, Cristian Alvarado (5-8) struck out a career-high 11 in his six innings of work. Allowing just two runs on eight hits, the right-hander produced his fourth straight quality start, and seventh over his last nine. He paces the Keys with 10 quality starts on the year.
The Blue Rocks took an early lead in the first inning. With two outs, Brandon Downes doubled. He then came around to score on a Chris DeVito single to right, making it 1-0.
Frederick would respond with four runs in the second, sending all nine men to bat in the process. Yermin Mercedes led off with a walk against Blue Rocks starter Jared Ruxer. Chris Clare then hit a single to left field in his first at-bat with the Keys, advancing Mercedes to third. Alex Murphy followed with a double to center field that scored Mercedes, but Clare was cut down at home plate for the first out.
Following a fielder's choice that allowed Armando Araiza to reach base, Ricardo Andujar walked. Araiza was plated by a Jay Gonzalez single, giving the Keys a 2-1 lead. Ademar Rifaela then reached on an error that allowed Andujar to score. The final second inning run came across when Randolph Gassaway singled in Gonzalez, making it 4-1 Keys.
Wilmington would add just one more run in the game in the third. Jonathan McRay hit a solo home run to right field, but that was as close as the Blue Rocks would get.
The Keys added two more runs in the fifth thanks to back-to-back sacrifice flies from Mercedes and Clare. A pair of insurance runs came in the eighth inning off the bat of Araiza. With Murphy at first, Araiza launched his seventh home run in a Keys uniform over the left field billboards, pushing the lead to 8-2.
Luis Gonzalez slammed the door shut in the ninth, completing his second inning of work where he allowed just one hit and struck out three. Jay Flaa worked a perfect seventh for the Keys, striking out a pair. Ruxer (4-4) took the loss, allowing six runs (three earned) on six hits over five innings.
The Keys and Blue Rocks play game two of a four-game set on Friday night. Left-hander Reid Love (1-4, 4.22) takes the mound for Frederick. He will be opposed by left-hander Cristian Castillo (6-5, 3.13). First pitch is slated for 7:00 p.m., and can be heard on 1450 AM The Source, frederickkeys.com, and the TuneIn radio app. For tickets, fans can call 301-815-9939 or visit frederickkeys.com.
