KEYS DROP GAME TWO TO NATS, 5-4

The Keys fell in game two of the Northern Division Championship Series, 5-4, on Thursday night against the Potomac Nationals. Leading by three runs entering the fifth inning, the P-Nats tied the game up in top of the fifth and then scored the game-winning run in the seventh as they prevailed with the one run victory. The series is now tied at a game apiece as the Keys and Nationals head to Pfitzner Stadium to finish up the best-of-five series.

Frederick struck first on Thursday night when DH Miguel Abreu drove home 2B LJ Hoes on a RBI single to rightfield. Hoes, who doubled off RHP Trevor Holder, scored from second base.

Potomac tied the game the up in the fourth when RF Bill Rhinehart connected with a solo shot off RHP Ryan O'Shea. The Keys took the lead back in the bottom of the fourth when they scored three unearned runs off Holder. 3B Robby Jacobsen committed a critical error that allowed 3B Billy Rowell to score and then C Brian Ward made Potomac pay for their mistake with a two-run double.

Trailing by three runs, the Nationals charged right back as they scored three runs in the top of the fifth inning. O'Shea surrendered three straight hits to start the inning, including a pair of RBI triples, and the CF Chris Curran brought home the game-tying run on a sac fly to center.

O'Shea was lifted from the game after five innings of work. On the night, he allowed four earned runs on six hits with two strikeouts and one walk. Potomac starter, RHP Trevor Holder, also left the game after he tossed five innings. Holder allowed four runs, one earned, on six hits while striking out four and walking one.

The Nationals scored the final run of the game in the seventh inning off LHP Nate Nery. CF Chris Curran hit a double of Nery that scored 3B Robby Jacobsen from third. The lone run against Nery was all the Potomac bullpen needed. RHP Rob Wort and RHP Zach Dials allowed just one hit over four scoreless innings. Wort picked up the victory while Dials notched the save. Nery got the loss for Frederick.

The bottom of the P-Nats lineup proved to be the difference in the game. Jacobsen, SS Sean Nicol, and Curran went 8-for-10 with four RBI in the Potomac victory.

Game three of the Northern Division Championship Series will take place on Friday night from Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, VA. RHP Zach Clark will get the ball for Frederick while RHP Jimmy Barthmaier will start for Potomac. First pitch is set for 7:03 p.m. Coverage of Game three will begin at 6:40 p.m. on the Frederick Keys Baseball Network.