Duffy Shows Grit; Church to DL

Duffy Bears Down with Runners On

DANNY DUFFY shut out the Frederick Keys over six innings Tuesday night but the most impressive aspect was how he did it…with grit.

Instead of striking out 18, he worked three of the six frames with runners in scoring position yet did not yield.

In the third inning he gave up a lead-off double but proceeded to induce three straight ground balls to retire the side.

In the fourth he relinquished two singles but got his first out on a fly ball and then retired the side on a double play grounder.

And in the fifth after one out he gave up a bunt single and a single to right but responded with a ground ball force out and a strike out to close the inning.

In the first inning he sat down the Keys 1-2-3, and the second and the sixth were marred by an error and a walk.

Duffy gave up five hits over his six innings and struck out five while walking one. His won-loss record remains at 5-1 since he did not receive credit for the victory. He departed with the score still tied at 0-0.

With the spotless performance the 20-year-old Duffy lowered his earned run average to 3.00. Duffy has allowed only 42 hits over 48 innings and his strikeout-walk ratio is a spectacular 46-13.

Wilmington ultimately won the contest 1-0. Wilmington is the Advanced-A level affiliate of the Kansas City Royals who drafted Duffy in the third round in 2006. Frederick is affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles. Duffy was the youngest player on either roster.


Church to DL

One day after receiving good news from an MRI, rightfielder RYAN CHURCH was placed on the disabled list by the New York Mets. Church is nursing a right hamstring injury and has not played since leaving Friday night's game in Boston.

It was around this time last season when Church missed close to two months with a concussion. He's happy at least that the injury is a little simpler this time.

"I'd rather deal with this thing than my head," Church said. "It's not going to be two months -- I'm not dizzy, and I know who I am."

Tim Britton, associate reporter for MLB.com.