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Keys beat up on Nationals on a cold
night in Virginia When I went to Woodbridge last night to watch the Frederick Keys play the Potomac Nationals I wasn’t expecting to see carnage. But that’s what the Keys inflicted upon the hapless Nats in the fifth inning of the 14-3 blow out. Up until that point, the game was close, with the Keys leading by a 2-1 count. Earlier, Tony Blanco had taken Orioles prized lefty Garrett Olson deep over the left field wall to bring the Nats to within one of the visiting Keys. Frederick had put two runs on the scoreboard in their half of the second when Nolan Reimold led off the inning by taking one for the team from Nats hurler Colin Balester. Reimold and Jarod Rine were driven in on a nice double down the right field line by Morgan Clendenin. With Olson plugging along, the game appeared that it would be a nail biter until the fifth inning came along. That’s when the roof fell in for Balester. The inning began with a lead off walk to Jason Franz. Dustin Yount followed with a fly out to right field. Then the beating commenced. Travis Brown singled and, eight batters later, the Keys had a ten run lead. Next inning, the thrashing continued, though not as severe as the one handed out in the fifth. After Brown led off with a walk, Jacob Duncan pushed him to second with a single. Nats reliever Jim Henderson proceeded to strike out the next two Keys. Then Reimold came to the plate and drove a Ruthian shot off the upper third of the scoreboard in left center field. Reimold's home run was hit so high, I think it showed up on the air traffic controllers radar at Dulles International Airport. I am guessing the scoreboard is about 350 feet from home plate at that point, and I am also guessing the scoreboard is at least 40 feet tall. The ball was on a downward plane when it hit the scoreboard. It would have easily traveled over 400 feet if the scoreboard hadn’t intercepted its flight. The Frederick team features several of the brightest prospects in the Orioles system. Left handed starting pitcher Olson is the product of a sandwich pick which was awarded to the Birds as a result of not being able to sign the previous years number one pick, Wade Townsend. Since Townsend suffered a ligament injury to his throwing arm last year and is still rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, Orioles fan look to Olson's success as a omen that maybe the worm has turned for them and the baseball gods have had enough fun at their expense. Olson came to the Orioles from Cal Poly where he was a All American. He started last season at Aberdeen and ended up at Frederick, where he and Nolan Reimold finished their seasons helping the Keys to a league championship. All told, last season he threw 190.1 innings total, between college and his last professional game. Some wondered if the Orioles had lost their minds allowing one of their best young arms to build up this many innings so soon. Last night, he hit his pitch limit after five innings. All told, he gave up four hits, struck out six and walked only two of the batters he faced. What the box score doesn’t show is the work he had to put in. I showed up in the top of the second inning, but, by my scorecard, Olson pitched to five 3-2 counts in the four innings I watched him work. In addition, he had five other hitters in 2-2 counts before he made the deciding pitch. All told, he threw at least 57 pitches in the second, third and fourth innings. That’s a lot of work. On a better night, he would have been using his curveball to punch more of those hitters out earlier in their at bats. Reimold is the best offensive prospect the Orioles currently have in their minor league system. That may change here shortly when Nick Markakis makes his return to the minors from his stint in Baltimore. Reimold is a slugger of home runs. Last season, in 263 professional at bats, he drove 15 home runs. That translates to 30 per year given over 500 at bats. Taken in the second round of last years draft by the Orioles, the former Bowling Green University outfielder has moved through the otherwise barren Orioles system at a fast clip. He joined Olson last year to help Frederick in their pennant drive. It looks like he will end up in Bowie before this season is over. Orioles fans are hoping he follows Markakis' path and plays in the AFL this year so he can fast track to Baltimore. Although he is the best power prospect in the Birds system, he would be a more complete player if he can work his plate discipline. Last year, he struck out 71 times while taking only 41 walks. Aside from the very cold temperatures, it was a very enjoyable evening to watch a baseball game. --- John
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