KEYS LATE RALLY FALLS SHORT AS INDIANS HOLD ON, 6-4
KEYS DROP SECOND STRAIGHT

Kinston, NC -- The Frederick Keys (10-8) rallied late, scoring three runs in the top of the ninth, but it was not enough, as the Kinston Indians held on to win, 6-4, taking the first game of their four game series.

After scoring early the Keys could not manage to put a runner in scoring position between the top of the second inning and the ninth, as the Indians used 15 hits to score six runs to jump too far ahead.

Jeff Fiorentino got the Keys started in the top of the second inning, as he led off with a double to left field. Gera Alvarez moved Fiorentino to third base when he reached on a bunt single. Fiorentino then stole home, scoring the run on part of a double steal, giving the Keys an early 1-0 lead.

The Indians answered back in the bottom of the second inning when Mike Butia led off the inning with a solo home run to right field, his seventh. Kinston extended the lead with a three-run bottom of the third inning highlighted by a Rodney Choy Foo two-run double, putting Indians in front, 4-1.

Choy Foo would score the Indians fifth run in the fifth inning after he tripled to lead off the inning, then scored on the Stephen Head single.

David Wallace gave the Indians their final run, a solo home run off Carlos Jan, in the bottom of the eighth inning, to put the Indians ahead 6-1.

The Keys would not fall quietly, as they used four hits to score three runs in the top of the ninth inning, as Dustin Yount, Branden Florence, Nick Markakis and Jeff Fiorentino hit four consecutive singles off Matt Davis, scoring two runs before Jim Ed Warden replaced Davis. Mike Russell grounded into a force out to allow Markakis to score, but the late rally would end there, as the Indians held on to win, 6-4.

Tom Mastny (4-2) earned the victory tossing 5.0 strong innings allowing just one run on four hits. Warden earned his second save.

Fredy Deza (3-5) took the loss, allowing five runs on 10 hits over 5.0 innings. Richard Salazar tossed 2.0 scoreless innings of relief, while Carlos Jan gave up a run in his one inning.

The Keys play the Indians in game two of their four game series on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. LHP Adam Loewen will start for the Keys. The Keys will play three more with Kinston before returning home to play three with the Salem Avalanche. It will be a fireworks weekend at Harry Grove Stadium, as the Keys prepare to shoot fireworks on Friday, July 22 and Saturday, July 23.