Keys Quotes From Tuesday’s Loss to Potomac

Written by: Andrew Vigliotti (@Andrew_Vig)

Frederick, MD

The Keys came up short against the Potomac Nationals 5-3 after the Keys failed to take advantage of a bases loaded opportunity in the ninth.

Centerfielder Trent Mummey walked to lead off the inning down 5-2.  Left fielder Kipp Schutz pinched hit for Shortstop Chris Tremblay and singled to set up runners on first and second with nobody out.  Ty Kelly singled to centerfield which loaded the bases with nobody out.  LF Jeremy Nowak singled to drive in Mummey to bring the Keys to within two runs.  Three strikeouts followed as the Keys couldn’t bring anymore across and fall by the same margin.

Quotes from Manager Orlando Gomez:

On the ninth inning

“We had bases loaded in that inning we let them escape. I couldn’t send guys to home in that situation with nobody out because there are too many potential runs out there.”

On the team being too tense at the plate

I get kind of mad and disappointed when we take fastballs like that in the middle of the plate. It’s like we were looking for a walk or looking for something different in that situation. We have to be aggressive in that particular play.  If you give me a fastball ahead in the count right in the middle of the plate I am going to jump all over it. We had the guy in the whole and it was our turn.”

On the team’s defensive struggles to begin the season

“It’s really cost us a few games already.  I know it’s a part of the game, but when you make the amount of errors that we have made so far this season, it’s like we are in rookie ball.  You can’t continue to be making the amount of errors at this level.

Is it lack of focus?

“I don’t think it’s a lack of focus at all. I think they are kind of a little bit tight.  When you play this game long enough you know three or four years those plays are easy to make… I don’t say you have to be perfect, but when you get to this level you have to do the things you’re suppose to do.

On Kyle Simon’s six innings and three earned run performance

“He threw the ball better today.  He went deep in the game today and threw about 80 pitches or something like that.  Everytime he made a mistake they hit it, but I was very pleased with the way he threw the ball today.  He gave us a chance to stay in the game.”

On Simon’s control

“He is commanding his pitches better tonight. He still made some mistakes tonight, but overall the command was a lot better. It’s a matter of certain situation we need to think about the pitch selection.  When you throw fastball after fastball by the time the number five hitter comes up he knows what to expect and go with something different.”

The Keys will look to salvage game three of this series against the Potomac Nationals Wednesday night at 7:05 EST as Scott Copeland toes the rubber for Frederick against Bobby Hansen.