Eighth Inning Troubles Strike Again

FREDERICK, MD -The Winston-Salem Dash scored seven times in the top of the eighth to defeat the Frederick Keys 9-8 on Saturday afternoon at Nymeo Field. It was the largest blown lead of the season for the orange and black, who entered the eighth with a five-run advantage. With the setback, the Keys close out the month with a 7-16 record.

Trailing 7-2, the Dash sent 11 men to bat and recorded seven hits. Austin Urban opened the inning, but was removed after giving out two singles and a walk. Jimmy Yacabonis was summoned from the bullpen, and allowed a two-run double to Mason Robbins and a two-run single to Grant Massey.

With the deficit down to one, Hunter Jones sacrificed Massey to scoring position, before a single to Danny Mendick and a sac-fly by Gerson Montilla made it a 7-7 affair. A single by Nick Basto and a two-run double by Marcus Davis completed the scoring. A problem spot over the last four games, Keys relief has given up 20 eighth inning runs in the last four days.

Dash right-hander Manny Martinez stranded a pair on base, thanks to a pair of flyball outs, before the visitors turned to Connor Walsh in the ninth. Jomar Reyes opened the inning with a single and advanced on a walk by Austin Wynns. Walsh then struck out Cam Kneeland, but Jonah Heim collected a pinch-hit single to load the bases with one out. Jay Gonzalez then brought home Reyes with a sac-fly, but Tad Gold struck out to end the game.

Prior to the eighth inning, the Keys posted five runs between the sixth and seventh stanzas. A Reyes solo homer, a single by Erick Salcedo and an RBI base hit by Gold gave the Keys a 4-2 advantage, before doubles by Steve Wilkerson, Wynston Sawyer and Kneeland gave Frederick its largest lead of the contest. Seven of the nine Keys starters recorded an RBI on the afternoon.

Defensively, the highlight of the season came in the sixth, when the Keys turned a 6-3-2-5 triple play. With runners at the corners, Jones grounded out to Salcedo who threw out the later at first. Robbins then tried to take home but was throw out, before Wynns threw out Massey trying to nab third. It was the Keys first triple play since August 2009.

Kelvis Valerio (1-0) earned the win, tossing an inning and allowing three runs (one earned). Yacabonis (0-2) suffered the loss and the blown save, giving up four runs on five hits in 0.2 of an inning. Walsh picked up the save, allowing one run in the ninth.

The Keys and Dash conclude their series on Sunday. Right-hander Matthew Grimes (2-1, 1.40) gets the ball for the Keys, while righty Jordan Stephens (0-2, 3.50) takes the hill for the visitors. First pitch is slated for 2:00 p.m and the broadcast can be heard on 1450 AM The Source and frederickkeys.com. For tickets fans can call 301-815-9939 or visit frederickkeys.com.