Keys Secure Series Split Over BlueClaws Thursday Night
LAKEWOOD, NJ – The Frederick Keys picked up their third straight victory over the Jersey Shore BlueClaws (Phillies) Thursday night, winning by a score of 9-7 at ShoreTown Ballpark. The Keys outscored the BlueClaws 5-1 in the final three innings of offense, as with the win, they secure the series
LAKEWOOD, NJ – The Frederick Keys picked up their third straight victory over the Jersey Shore BlueClaws (Phillies) Thursday night, winning by a score of 9-7 at ShoreTown Ballpark.
The Keys outscored the BlueClaws 5-1 in the final three innings of offense, as with the win, they secure the series split on the road following wins in each of the first three games.
Frederick scored in the top of the first inning for the third straight game thanks to an RBI triple from Enddy Azocar, giving Frederick a 1-0 lead through one inning to start game three.
The BlueClaws came back in the bottom of the second with a two-run frame off two Keys errors, giving the home team its first lead of the night with Jersey Shore leading 2-1 after two innings.
The Keys however took the lead back quickly in the top of the third on a wild pitch that scored Fernando Peguero from third, and an RBI single from Yasmil Bucce, handing the visitors a 3-2 advantage approaching the fourth on the road.
Following a scoreless fourth inning for both sides, Frederick added one run in the top of the fifth on another wild pitch that brought home Colin Tuft from third, but Jersey Shore plated home four runs in the bottom frame, handing them a two-run lead at 6-4 heading into the sixth.
After the Keys and BlueClaws went off the board in the sixth inning, Frederick tied things up in the top of the seventh courtesy of a throwing error by the BlueClaws and an RBI sacrifice bunt from Colin Tuft, making it a six all game approaching the eighth at ShoreTown Ballpark.
Azcoar delivered with an RBI sacrifice fly to right in the top of the eighth inning to hand the Keys the lead back at 7-6, as Ryan Cabarcas threw a scoreless bottom frame to take the game into the ninth with Frederick up by one.
In the top of the ninth, Braylon Whitaker delivered a two-RBI single to increase the Keys lead to three, as Chandler Marsh looked for another save with Frederick leading 9-6.
Despite a solo homer in the bottom frame, Marsh retired the last three to end the game, securing the series split for Frederick after winning game three of six by a score of 9-7.
Game four of the six-game series between the Keys and BlueClaws is set for a 7:05 p.m. first pitch Friday night from ShoreTown Ballpark, beginning the second half of the six-game series.