Carolina-California All-Star Notebook

FREDERICK, Md. -- The Frederick Keys weren't the most cordial hosts on Tuesday night in the Carolina-California League All-Star game. Several members of the Keys played roles in helping Carolina to an 8-0 rout of California before 7,734 at Harry Grove Stadium.

Frederick outfielder Nick Markakis was voted Carolina League and All-Star MVP after his 3-for-5, two-homer, three-RBI performance. He also pulled off an upset win in the pregame Home Run Derby, blasting 13 over three rounds.

Keys designated hitter Mario Delgado was 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored and pitcher Chris Britton struck out two in a perfect fifth inning.

"Right now, (Markakis) is hot," said Carolina skipper Bien Figueroa, who also manages Frederick. "Mario did a good job, and Chris ... challenges you. That's why he's got a (low) ERA."

Markakis and Britton both said that playing the All-Star Game in their home park was a definite help.

"I knew the park, and I've been playing here," Markakis said of his first All-Star appearance. "I just felt relaxed. It was fun and I had a good time coming out here."

Other Carolina League players said that coming to a park in which they've played helped because they didn't need time to get to know the environs.

"You're just comfortable with the settings," said Winstom-Salem's Leo Daigle, who went 1-for-3 with a run scored. "There's a certain visual to things."

A PITCHER'S NIGHT: Nine Carolina League pitchers turned in an impressive performance, striking out 13 and walking just one while giving up four hits. They often overpowered California League hitters and allowed only five base runners all night.

In fact, the Carolina League already had a 3-0 lead by the time California got its first base runner. Carolina pitchers retired the first 10 batters before Brandon Wood of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes singled to left field.

California got only two runners into scoring position. Billy Butler of the High Desert Mavericks walked after Wood's single in the fourth, and they moved to second and third after Brady Endl's wild pitch. But Wood got doubled off third when Eddy Martinez-Esteve of the San Jose Giants hit a bloop to short right that second baseman Zach Borowiak raced back to catch.

Howie Kendrick of the Quakes doubled with one out in the ninth, but Carolina pitcher Aaron Williams struck out the final two batters to finish off the win.

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY: Afternoon storms moved through the area, washing out infield and batting practice before stopping around 3:15 p.m. ET.

Although there were puddles, the grounds crew got rid of them quick enough to let the Home Run Derby take place on schedule at 5:30 p.m. But the Derby had to go an extra round that forced the game to begin 23 minutes late.

Rain returned during the early part of the game, but play went on under dark, cloudy skies.

WAIT 'TIL NEXT YEAR: The two leagues rotate hosting the All-Star Game on an annual basis, but the 2006 game again will be on the East Coast.

Salem, Va. will to host the 2006 game because construction problems in one Carolina League stadium forced the California League to serve as host each of the previous two years.

THIS AND THAT: Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer was the keynote speaker at the All-Star luncheon earlier Tuesday. ... Nick Markakis (Frederick), Bobby Kingsbury (Lynchburg) and George Kottaras (Lake Elsinore) had something else in common other than participating in Tuesday's game -- they all played together on the Greek national baseball team at last year's Summer Olympics in Athens. ... The series has been close throughout its run, but the Carolina League took a 4-3-2 lead. The leagues did not play in 1998.