Late runs push Keys in win over Pelicans

FREDERICK, MD -  For the first time in nine games the Keys were able to put up crucial late inning runs to solidify a victory over the Pelicans 10-7.

The Pelicans trailed by one in the seventh when Frederick added to their lead as Carlos Rivas walked in a run. Rivas’ struggles continued when Chris Amador ripped a triple, scoring three more baserunners opening the Keys advantage to 10-6.  The lefthander suffered his first loss of the season.

Myrtle Beach brought out the big bats against Keys’ starter Tim Bascom in the second inning.  With one out, Brandon Hicks launched his 14th home run over the wall in left-center field to make it 1-0 Pelicans.  Right on his heels, Travis Jones delivered his 11th blast of the year, pulled to left field to double the lead at 2-0.  The back-to-back blasts marked the third time this year the Pelicans have accomplished the feat.  Hicks’ blast ties him for second in the league.

For the first time in the series, the Keys had a response and came storming back in the bottom of the inning.  Pelicans’ starter Chris Vines started his own trouble by walking Billy Rowell.  A single by Paul Winterling followed and led to a game-tying two-run double off the wall in left field from Justin Johnson.  Johnson scored to put the Keys ahead a batter later as Mike McCoy singled to make it 3-2 Frederick.

Two more plated for the Keys in the third.  Back-to-back doubles for Zach Dillon and Chris Vinyard put the Keys back on the board at 4-2, and a double play ball from Chris Amador a batter later scored Vinyard with the game’s fifth run.

The longball would again lead the Pelicans back into the ballgame in the fifth.  With Concepcion Rodriguez aboard on a walk, Jon Mark Owings became the third Pelican to take Bascom deep as he lined his 12th of the year just over the left field wall to cut the lead to one, 5-4.

Owings homered again in the top of the seventh to give the Pelicans the lead back, 6-5.  Unlike is first home run, his second blast easily cleared the wall in left field on a high arch.  Bascom (2-2) earned the win despite giving up four home runs to the Pelicans on the evening.

The fifth home run was supplied by Concepcion Rodriguez who homered off of Zach Clark in the ninth inning.  Clark then closed out the ballgame by retiring the next two batters he faced.