Keys Secure Seventh-Straight Win in Game One Against Hot Rods
FREDERICK, MD – The Frederick Keys defeated the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays) by a score of 3-1 in game one of the six-game series Tuesday night after leading the entire game to extend their South Atlantic League North lead to half a game from Nymeo Field at Harry Grove
FREDERICK, MD – The Frederick Keys defeated the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays) by a score of 3-1 in game one of the six-game series Tuesday night after leading the entire game to extend their South Atlantic League North lead to half a game from Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium.
Boston Bateman made his 17th start of the season and his first in Frederick since July 11. He threw a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the first while striking out a pair of batters. DJ Layton, in his first at-bat with the Keys hit a solo homer to lead off the bottom of the first and give the Keys a 1-0 lead.
Each side went off the board in the second as Bateman escaped a two-out, two walk jam in the top half and Blake Morgan threw a 1-2-3 inning to retire his sixth consecutive batter following the Layton home run.
Bateman worked around a leadoff single in the third inning and ended his day with three innings of scoreless ball while striking out three batters. Bradley Brehmer entered in relief and tossed a scoreless fourth inning before giving way to Christian Rodriguez.
The Keys added to their tally in the fourth inning after Bowling Green starter Blake Morgan retired eight straight following the leadoff homer from Layton. Leandro Arias recorded an RBI double as he shot a line drive into the third base bag and over third basemen Tony Santa Maria. It drove in Vance Honeycutt from second and extended the Keys lead to 2-0.
Frederick continued to add to their lead in the sixth as Braylin Tavera entered the game for Honeycutt and lead off the inning with a double. Arias earned his second hit of the night on a single to right field and gave the Keys a 3-0 lead with his second RBI of the night.
After both sides went scoreless in the sixth and seventh innings, Rodriguez pitched into the ninth inning after allowing just one hit through his first four frames. Ryan Cermek doubled down the left field line to lead off the ninth before Narciso Polanco singled him in. It put the Hot Rods on the board 3-1 and sent the tying run to the plate.
Rodriguez struck out Ryan McCoy for the first out of the inning before Noah Myers flew out to deep left field. Nicandro Aybar represented the final out for the Hot Rods as Rodriguez looked for his first win on the year. Aybar bounced out to second base where Edwin Amparo secured the final out of the game and gave the Keys the game one victory.
The Keys and Hot Rods meet for the second time in as many days Wednesday night, with first pitch set for 7 p.m. from Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium.
Wednesday’s game represents Wag Wednesday presented by Mobile Vet Surgery along with Guranteed Win Wednesday courtesy of Musket Ridge Golf Course.