Frederick Keys top Salem Red Sox, 3-1

The Frederick Keys beat the Salem Red Sox 3-1 in a pitcher’s duel at Harry Grove Stadium.

Parker Bridwell out dueled William Cuevas to get his third win of the season. Bridwell was excellent, going seven innings, allowing just a run on four hits, and striking out six. Cuevas was very good as well, getting the tough loss after seven innings, allowing two runs on four hits. Just one of the two runs was earned.

For the second straight night, Salem lost after scoring in the first half of the first inning. While the Sox struck for seven in the first yesterday, Salem managed a lone run in the first frame tonight. Reed Gragnani walked with two outs, and scored all the way from first on a double from Mario Martinez. Martinez now has 15 RBIs in his last six games. Salem would not score the rest of the night.

Frederick struck back in the bottom of the second inning. Zane Chavez hit a long home run over the right center field wall to square the game at one.

The Keys would take the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth. Creede Simpson led off the frame with a single. Then Cuevas threw wild to first on a pick off attempt, allowing Simpson to go all the way to third. Simpson would score the unearned run on a sacrifice fly by Chavez to make it 2-1 Keys.

Frederick added an insurance run in the bottom of the eight off of Madison Younginer. Jason Esposito singled to start the frame. He was sacrificed to second by Jerome Pena, and came around to score on a Glynn Davis single to make it 3-1 Frederick.

The Red Sox did bring the tying run to the plate in the ninth, after Aneury Tavarez reached on an infield single. But Ashur Tolliver got Tim Roberson to ground out for a two inning save.

The loss was Salem’s ninth in its last ten road games. The Sox and Keys return to Harry Grove Stadium tomorrow night at 7:00. Cody Kukuk goes for the Sox. Joe Van Meter gets the ball for the Keys.