The Frederick Keys defeated the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays) 5-2 Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium in Frederick, Maryland, as Ethan Anderson went 4-for-4 in his first game of a Minor League rehab assignment.
The victory marked the Frederick Keys’ second consecutive win over the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays) and came in the fourth game of a six-game series. Frederick secured at least a series split at home.
Ethan Anderson Powers Frederick Keys Offense
The Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays) scored first on an RBI single, but the Frederick Keys responded with Anderson’s two-run home run in the first inning. The blast gave Frederick a 2-1 lead.
Braylon Whitaker added a solo home run in the second inning to extend the lead to 3-1. Enddy Azocar drove in DJ Layton with a groundout in the third, giving the Keys a 4-1 advantage.
Anderson added an RBI single in the fifth inning to push Frederick’s lead to 5-1. The Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays) scored once in the sixth, but the Keys held on for the 5-2 victory.
Kyson Witherspoon Records Season-High Strikeout Total
Kyson Witherspoon pitched five innings, struck out nine and allowed two runs. His nine strikeouts were a season high so far in 2026.
Ben Vespi retired the side in order in the seventh inning. After both teams went scoreless in the eighth, Bradley Brehmer worked a scoreless ninth inning to close out the victory.
Frederick Keys Schedule Faith Night
Game five of the six-game series was scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium. The game was scheduled as Faith Night, with Darryl Strawberry announced as a special guest.
The event also was scheduled to include musical performances by the Collective Church Band and postgame fireworks presented by NJM Insurance Group.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
The Frederick Keys combined Ethan Anderson’s four-hit performance with home runs from Anderson and Braylon Whitaker to build an early lead. Kyson Witherspoon’s five innings and nine strikeouts helped Frederick protect that advantage.
With the Keys assured of at least a series split, Saturday’s game was scheduled to continue the six-game home series against the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays).
Source: Original report
