Keys Quiet Rocks' Bats and Win Streak

Wilmington, DE- The Wilmington Blue Rocks (27-34) had their season-high six-game winning streak come to an end on Friday night with a 3-2 loss to the Frederick Keys (25-32) at Frawley Stadium. Despite the loss, Wilmington starter Ofreidy Gomez battled his way on the mound, going seven full innings, tying a career-high, giving up nine hits, three runs, and three walks. Gomez also had three strikeouts on the night.
 

Frederick's offense first struck in the top of the first. The Keys loaded the bases for Collin Woody who hit a shallow fly ball to Wilmington's Khalil Lee . Colby Rasmus tagged up from third while Lee's throw hit the side of the mound, making it easy for Rasmus to come home and put the Keys on top 1-0. Rasmus caused more damage in the top of the third. With Ryan McKenna on first, Rasmus hit a fly ball into the gap in left-center to leg out an RBI triple to extend the lead to 2-0. Preston Palmeiro added an RBI single in the inning to widen the gap to 3-0.
Wilmington's bats were silent against Keys' starter Zach Lowther. The right-hander went six scoreless innings giving up only three hits and one walk while amassing eight strikeouts. However, once reliever Matt Trowbridge came in to the game, the Blue Rocks let loose in the bottom of the seventh. Xavier Fernández got the Rocks on the board with an RBI double that bounced off the wall in left field to bring Kort Peterson home and make it a 3-1 game. The next pitch was clobbered into right-center by Chase Vallot for another RBI double to close the gap to 3-2. The comeback effort was shut down by Tyler Erwin who earned the two inning save for Frederick.
The Blue Rocks will try to bounce back on Saturday, June 9 at Frawley Stadium with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 p.m. On the mound for Wilmington will be right-hander Gerson Garabito (2-5, 4.08 ERA). He will be opposed by Keys' righty Cristian Alvarado (5-4, 3.30 ERA). If you can't make it to the game, Matt Janus and Cory Nidoh will have the call for you on 89.7 WGLS-FM.
PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:
The Rocks season-high win streak ended at six games with the setback in the series opener against the Keys. It was the first time the Blue Rocks won six in a row since June 13-18 of last season. During the six-game winning streak they outscored opponents 38-23 and had a 3.24 ERA during the stretch. Wilmington also hit five home runs during the six games.  
Blue Rocks' starter Ofreidy Gomez turned in a solid start and battled his way through seven innings of work, which tied a career-high. He allowed three runs through the first three innings, then settled in and tossed his final four innings in scoreless fashion. The last time Gomez lasted seven innings was back on August 18, 2017 against the Asheville Tourists. His previous season-high with the Rocks was six innings which he did twice.
With the loss, Wilmington has dropped six straight games to the Keys after winning four of the first five between the pair of Northern Division foes. All six losses have been at Frawley Stadium and the Rocks have been outscored 30-19 during the skid. The last time the Blue Crew won a against Frederick was back on May 4 in an 8-5 win.
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