FREDERICK, MD – The Frederick Keys dropped the third game of the six-game series to the Wilmington Blue Rocks (Nationals) Thursday night, losing by a score of 4-3 at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium.
The Keys could not get a late rally in the bottom of the ninth as they fell by one to Wilmington, and now look to even the series at two games apiece Friday night at home.
Wilmington brought home the night’s first run on a passed ball, but a strikeout from Keys starter Christian Rodriguez recorded a strikeout to end the top of the first to leave two runners on base and keep it at a 1-0 game.
After both sides went off the board in the second, the Blue Rocks made it a 2-0 game in the top of the third, but the Keys responded with a three-run frame thanks to an RBI sacrifice fly from RJ Austin and a two-run homer from Fernando Peguero, giving the Keys a 3-2 lead through three innings Thursday night.
In the fourth, the visitors made it a three-all game on a solo homer to left, tying the score at three apiece heading into the sixth from the Key City, after a scoreless fifth inning for both teams.
During the sixth inning, Wilmington added one run on an RBI single to right, handing them a 4-3 lead approaching the seventh, with the Keys looking for a rally down by one.
Following a scoreless seventh for the Blue Rocks and Keys, Ben Vespi struck out the side in order in the top of the eighth, taking the contest to the ninth with Wilmington still ahead by a run.
Ben Vespi went on to throw a scoreless top of the ninth, the Keys went scoreless in the bottom of the frame, as the Blue Rocks hung on to the one-run lead to win game three of the series by a score of 2-1.
Game four of the six-game series between the Keys and Blue Rocks is set for 7 p.m. Friday night from Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium.
Friday’s game Christmas in July at the ballpark with a Snow Globe Giveaway from Common Market for the first 1,000 fans ages 13 and up. There will also be postgame fireworks courtesy of Paul Davis Restoration.