FREDERICK, Md. - The Frederick Keys have jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first inning of Game 5 of their playoff series with Potomac here at Harry Grove Stadium.
After Dale Mollenhauer led off the last of the first with a foul out, Jonathan Schoop drilled a 2-2 pitch over the wall in left center to put Frederick ahead 1-0. Schoop is now 5-for-15 in this series.
Manny Machado followed that with a single to left. Batting fourth as the DH, Aaron Baker came up and hit a two-run homer to left on the first pitch from Paul Demny to lead 3-0.
After Demny issued a two-out walk, he was lifted from the game and right-hander Trevor Holder came on.
Tonight's winner will host Kinston tomorrow night in game one of the Carolina League championship.
Keys starter Jake Pettit fanned Potomac's Brian Peacock to get out of a two-on jam in the top of the first. Pettit got the win in game one against the Nationals, giving up just one run on three hits over six innings.
Check back throughout the night as I will update this entry several times.
Update I: The Keys lead remains 3-0 after three innings. Frederick starter Jake Pettit has now retired seven straight batters and has allowed just one hit on 40 pitches through the three frames.
Holder has come on to pitch well for Potomac since that three-run Frederick first. He has not allowed a hit so far.
Update II: Through five innings, Frederick now leads Potomac, 3-1. The Keys have not had a hit since their three-run first.
Potomac got its only run off Pettit in the top of the fifth. Zach Walters led off with a double, advanced to third on a groundout and scored on a groundout by Jose Lozada. Pettit has allowed just two hits through five innings.
Update III: Frederick leads 3-1 heading to the last of the seventh. Pettit gave up just three hits and one run over six innings. He walked two, fanned five and threw 76 pitches. He has allowed just two runs over 12 innings in this series.
Ryan Berry came on and pitched a 1-2-3 seventh for Frederick.
Berry added a scoreless 8th, so Frederick takes a 3-1 lead to the last of the eighth.
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