Frederick closes in on playoff berth

By Steve Melewski

Orioles

June 08, 2010, 9:06am

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The first-half of the Carolina League season is nearing completion and the Frederick Keys are in the drivers seat to clinch their first playoff berth since 2007. With 13 games left, the Keys lead the Northern Division by eight games over Wilmington. They have a magic number of five to win the division first-half title. Frederick is 35-23, the first time since the end of the 2005 season that the Keys are 12 games over .500. After beating Potomac 3-1 last night, the Keys now have a season-high, six-game win streak. Their pitchers have allowed just 14 runs during the streak. Last night, lefty Rick Zagone pitched Frederick to the win, allowing just one run and two hits over six innings. Zagone is now 3-5, 3.36 and is 5th in the league in innings and 8th in ERA. Tonight, Ryan Berry, who is 1-0, 1.93 in three Keys starts, is on the mound. In Monday's win, catcher Ivan Rodriguez played for Potomac on an injury-rehab assignment and went 0 for 3 vs. Frederck pitchers. Frederick's team ERA is 3.29, second best in the league. Joe Mahoney is batting .308, 8th in the league while Jose Diaz has 8 saves, tied for first in the league.