Jeff Kemp belted a go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth inning that vaulted the Frederick Keys ahead of the Salem Red Sox 3-1 on Monday night at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium.
Trey Ball and Ariel Miranda dueled through three scoreless innings until the Keys struck first in the fourth. Tanner Witt sent a long fly deep to left-center that Forrestt Allday tracked to the wall and leapt for, but was unable to bring back. The solo shot broke the scoreless tie and Frederick led 1-0 after four.
Salem got its only run in the top of the fifth inning. Mario Martinez led things off with a single that extended his hitting streak to eight games. Allday drove him home later in the frame with a two-out single that tied the score at one.
Miranda did not factor in the decision but had his longest outing since joining the Keys in late June. He allowed one run on five hits over five innings and struck out seven batters.
Ball walked Witt to lead off the decisive sixth inning and retired Chance Sisco before Jeff Kemp stepped in. Kemp took a 1-0 offering deep down the left field line for his sixth home run of the year, putting the Keys on top 3-1.
Ball (6-8) surrendered three runs on five hits and struck out four over six innings. Martinez was 2-for-4 with a run scored and Yoilan Cerse went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk.
The Red Sox put the tying run on base with one out in the ninth inning, but Jose Vinicio lined into a double play to end the game.
Salem settled for a split of the four game series after winning the first two games on Friday and Saturday. The loss dropped the Sox record to 45-43 overall and 7-11 in the second half while Frederick improved to 40-48 and 8-10.
The Red Sox will take the day off on Tuesday before beginning a five-game, four-day, two-city series with the Lynchburg Hillcats. Salem travels to the Hill City on Wednesday for a doubleheader with the Hillcats, with the first game starting at 5:30 p.m. Teddy Stankiewicz (4-9, 4.06) will go for Salem against Lynchburg’s Dace Kime (2-4, 4.25) in game one. Salem has not announced its game two starter, but Lynchburg will through Antonio Romero (1-0, 2.94). Fans can listen to both games on 1240 AM ESPN Roanoke, online at salemsox.com or via the TuneIn Radio app.
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Chris Graham
