
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, May 16, 1995                   TAG: 9505160123
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: FREDERICK, MD.                                LENGTH: Short

BULLPEN FAILS AVALANCHE AGAIN

David Lamb's double off Jeff Sobkoviak with two out in the bottom of the ninth inning scored Trovin Valdez to give the Frederick Keys a 4-3 victory over the Salem Avalanche on Monday night in the Carolina League.

Sobkoviak (0-1) came on in relief of Curt Conley after Salem had tied the score at 3 in the top of the ninth. Sobkoviak retired the first two batters he faced before Valdez singled. Valdez, who went 4-for-5 and scored three runs, stole second and scored on Lamb's double to left-center field.

The Avalanche (20-18) had a chance to take the lead for good in the top of the ninth. Brian Culp led off with a bloop double off Frederick closer Chris Lemp, and Colin Dixon walked to put runners at first and second with none out. Forry Wells then hit a potential double-play grounder that Keys second baseman Jesse Garcia booted, loading the bases. Edgard Velasquez walked to drive in Culp and tie the score at 3, but the Avalanche, which still had the bases loaded and no one out, could not score again.

Salem took a 2-1 lead in the top of the eighth inning when Grunewald smacked his first homer of the year, a solo shot, but the Keys took the lead in the bottom half of the inning against Conley, who gave up two runs in relief of Salem starter Scott Larock.

Larock, making his first start of the season, pitched well, going seven innings and giving up only one run on five hits while walking three and striking out five. Lemp (1-0) picked up the victory despite blowing the save opportunity.

NOTE: Please see micrpofilm for scores.

Keywords:
BASEBALL

by CNB