Frederick Keys Weekly Recap: 5/17- 5/30
The Frederick Keys are looking for a big week, looking to get hot, and of course looking to stay hot for the rest of the season. The Keys open this week with a 15-23 record, 8 games below .500 so it will take a couple weeks to get back to where they should be. Here is a recap from each of the games from this week and last week.
Game 1: 5/17/18: Frederick 3 Lynchburg 1
The Keys get off to a hot start in the first inning of the game. Wilson Garcia singles in a run with 2 outs in the top of the 1st and was followed by a double from 3rd basemen Jomar Reyes. Alex Wells comes one inning short of a quality start, going 5 innings of one run baseball and 6 strikeouts. Brandon Kline comes in the finish the job, going 2 scoreless innings. The teams planned for a doubleheader but the second one was rained out so that’s why they only played 7 innings. Player of the game goes to Wilson Garcia for 2 hits and an important early RBI.
Game 2: 5/19/17: Myrtle Beach 4 Frederick 3
The Keys once again get off to a hot start in the top of the first with a RBI single from Preston Palmeiro and a RBI double play from Wilson Garcia and then in the 3rd inning a home run from Cole Billingsley.
Christian Alvarado pours in a quality start going 6 innings and allowing 3 runs with 6 strikeouts. Tyler Erwin comes in to allow a single, making a force attempt error, and a sac fly to advance the runner to 3rd. Stephen Klimek comes in and throws a wild pitch to allow the go ahead run and the loss is on Tyler Erwin. So a tough turn of events for the Keys, as the Keys could not come back in the last few innings.
Game 3: 5/20/18: Myrtle Beach 1 Frederick 6
Michael Baumann makes his first start after his promotion. After pitching to a 5-0 record with a 1.42 ERA the Orioles finally thought it was time to promote him to the next level. Baumann could be moving through the system very quickly. This will definitely not be the last new addition to the Keys this season, with several arms in Delmarva dominating the South Atlantic League. Anyway, Michael Baumann started off a little shaky allowing a home run in the first inning but was close to flawless the rest of the game. He finished off with a complete game, going 7 innings, 4 hits, 1 earned run, 1 walk, and 2 strikeouts. In Delmarva Baumann, the 2017 3rd round pick, out of Jacksonville University, struck out 47 hitters in 38 innings, so I think as Baumann gets adjusted to the competition at this level, the strikeouts will come. Wilson Garcia led the offense in this one, tallying 2 hits and 4 RBIs. Stuart Levy, the catcher, and recently promoted outfielder, TJ Nichting also produced multi hit games. Michael Baumann is the player of the game.
Game 4: 5/20/18: Myrtle Beach 1 Frederick 10
Lucas Humpal starts off the second game of this double header with a solid start, going 5 innings, allowing 1 run, on 4 hits and striking out 3. The bullpen for this game, consisting of Zach Muckinhirn and Travis Seabrooke, comes in for the last two innings, allowing a hit a piece and no runs. Preston Palmeiro led the team with 5 RBIs with one hit, that hit being a grand slam, he also had a sacrifice fly. Ryan McKenna, Wilson Garcia, and Chris Clare all had multi hit games, to score 10 runs as a team. The player of the game goes to Preston Palmeiro.
Game 5: 5/21/18: Salem 5 Frederick 1
The Keys finished with the same amount of hits as the Red Sox but just could not get anything going, the only extra base hits were from Chris Clare who finished with 2 doubles. Ofelky Peralta started off, he went 5 innings, allowing 4 runs (3 earned), striking out 4 but walking 5. Walking batters continues to be a major concern for Ofelky Peralta. If Peralta can improve his control, he could be a valuable asset for the Keys. On the bright side the team struck out zero times the whole game.
Game 6: 5/22/18: Salem 13 Frederick 11
The pitching was dreadful tonight, John Peluffo allowing 6 earned runs (7 Runs) followed by Travis Seabrooke allowing 5, and also Scott Burke allowed 1. In the bottom of the 6th inning it was 12-1, but the Keys didn’t give up and started a rally, to have it 13-9 going into the bottom of the 9th inning. Ryan McKenna singled and Cole Billingsley walked in the 9th but it wasn’t enough. Chris Clare finished with the most impressive stat line of 3 hits, 3 RBIs, 3 Runs, and 2 walks. He came a double shy of the cycle.
Game 7: 5/23/18: Red Sox 5 Keys 11
The Keys get a solid start from Alex Wells on the mound, he goes 5.2 innings, allowing 2 earned runs and the offense was definitely there to back him up. TJ Nichting started the party with a RBI single in the second inning, followed by RBIs from Ryan McKenna, Chris Clare, and several others. Ryan McKenna was very impressive with 4 hits in 6 at bats, tallying 4 RBIs. Despite McKenna’s big day he did not lead the way, Wilson Garcia the DH, finished with 7 RBIs and 4 hits also, including 2 home runs. TJ Nichting also finished with 4 hits, Jomar Reyes with 3, and Chris Clare also with 3. Player of the game goes to Wilson Garcia.
Game 8: 5/24/18: Red Sox 1 Frederick 5
Christian Alvarado pitched wonderfully, going 7 full innings, allowing one earned run, and striking out 7. Ryan McKenna was incredible once again, going 3-3 with a RBI. Preston Palmeiro also had a good day at the plate, 2 for 3 with 3 RBIs. Tyler Erwin also came in to throw two scoreless innings to preserve the lead. Ryan McKenna is the player of the game.
Game 9: 5/25/18: Keys 2 Wood Ducks 4
A pitchers duel in Kinston, North Carolina as Michael Baumann was solid on the mound going 5.2 innings, allowing 1 earned run (2 runs) and striking out 6. Zach Muckenhirn got the loss allowing 2 earned runs in 2 innings of relief. Jomar Reyes tallied the only 2 hits of the game for the Keys including a 2 run homer. Tough loss for the Keys, hopefully the bats can come back for the next matchup against the Down East Wood Ducks.
Game 10: 5/27/18: Keys 1 Wood Ducks 4
Another tough day at the plate and another pitchers duel. Ofelky Peralta got the quality start but the offense was not there to back him up. He went 6 innings, allowing 3 earned runs, striking out 2 but walking 3. He really needs to improve on his command and control. Jomar Reyes once again led the offense, sending one out of the park again. Collin Woody also had a decent day at the plate, he had 2 hits and 2 walks on the day.
Game 11: 5/27/18: Keys 4 Wood Ducks 11
The Keys once again cannot get the bats going. Ryan McKenna had yet another impressive day at the plate, going 3-4. Collin Woody also had a multi-hit day. Lucas Humpal goes just 4.1 innings allowing 7 earned runs. Scott Burke also came in for an inning and two thirds, to give up 4 earned runs. Not much going for the Keys in this one. Preston Palmeiro had 2 RBI off of a double and Collin Woody homered.
Game 12: 5/29/18: Keys 2 Blue Rocks 1
A pitchers duel again for the Keys. Alex Wells goes 6.1 innings, allowing just 1 earned run. Control and command is his strength and after a slow start he is starting to pitch very well without blowing it by anyone. TJ Nichting had a night to remember, credited with 2 outfield assists at home plate, and 2 hits at the plate. Collin Woody homered again for both RBIs in the game. Player of the game goes to TJ Nichting.
Game 5/30/18: Keys 5 Wilmington 3
Zac Lowther gets the call to the next level, he starts off his career with Frederick going just 4 innings but pitching well. He allows 1 earned run but walks 3. I guess the Keys and the Orioles didn’t want him throwing too much so hopefully he can get deeper into the game next outing. Zach Britton makes his rehab appearance at the Frederick Keys level, he goes 1 inning and struck out the side. He allowed a broken bat single also. Ryan McKenna led the way on the offense, collecting 3 hits and an RBI. Collin Woody and Chris Clare also finished with multiple hits. Ryan McKenna gets the player of the game.
The Keys are still 7 games below .500 but I think with several players getting hot, some promotions from Delmarva, and the defense coming around, the Keys can start winning more games.
