EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Altoona Tops Squirrels in Rain-Shortened Finale, 8-3

Published on July 18, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


RICHMOND, VA - Kyle McPherson allowed three earned runs and struck out eight batter in five innings pitched and Quincy Latimore hit his 11th home run of the season to lead the Altoona Curve (45-50) to an 8-3 victory over the Richmond Flying Squirrels (50-48), 10-2, in a game that was called due to rain in the seventh inning at The Diamond Wednesday night. The win snapped Richmond's four-game win streak.

The Flying Squirrels grabbed the early lead with a run in the opening frame. Gary Brown doubled to start the inning. After Altoona starter McPherson retired Ehire Adrianza on a bunt pop-out and plunked Daniel Mayora with a pitch, Mark Minicozzi ripped a ground-rule double to center field, which scored Brown and gave Richmond a 1-0 edge.

Altoona immediately answered with a run in the top of the second. Jeremy Farrell opened the inning with a single and he advanced to second when Squirrels starter Justin Fitzgerald uncorked a wild pitch. Following a groundout by Stefan Welch that advanced Farrell to third base, Latimore hit an RBI groundout that evened the score at 1-1.

The Curve took the lead an inning later when Brock Holt hit a one-out RBI single that scored Drew Maggi, who had opened the inning with a single.

Altoona seized control of the game two innings later by scoring three runs off Fitzgerald. Maggi singled to start the frame. Fitzgerald recovered to strike out the next two batters before issuing a walk to Holt. Oscar Tejeda followed with a two-run double that plated Maggi and Holt. Tejeda advanced to third on the throw on the back end of the play. After Farrell drew a walk, Fitzgerald struck out Welch on a passed ball by Joel Weeks and Tejeda scored from third, which extended Altoona's lead to 5-1.

Richmond cut into Altoona's lead in the bottom of the fifth when Brown blasted a two-run home run over the left field wall. It was Brown's sixth home run of the season and his second in as many nights. As a result, Richmond trailed 5-3 after five innings.

Altoona added three runs in the top of the sixth. Latimore smacked a leadoff home run over the left field wall off Richmond reliever Ari Ronick. Ramon Cabrera followed with a double and he scored two batters later on an RBI single from McPherson. Ronick retired Grossman and then delivered a wild pitch to Holt, which enabled McPherson to take second base. Holt hit an infield single and McPherson reached third base. Then, a heavy rainstorm descended on The Diamond, which resulted in a rain delay of one hour and one minute.

When play resumed, Edwin Quirarte took the mound for Richmond and he uncorked a wild pitch with Tejeda at the plate. McPherson raced home on the play, which extended Altoona's advantage to 8-3. The rain returned an inning later, forcing another lengthy delay following the completion of the top of the seventh inning. The game was eventually called when it became apparent that the rain would not relent.

McPherson (2-4) allowed five hits and three earned runs in five innings and he earned his second win of the season. Fitzgerald (5-7) took the loss after yielding six hits and five runs, four of which were earned, in five innings of work.

The Squirrels will seek to get back on the winning track when they take on the Akron Aeros in the opener of a four-game series Thursday night at The Diamond. First pitch is slated for 7:05 PM. Richmond will send LHP Chris Gloor (2-1, 1.98) to the mound. Akron has not named a starting pitcher. Pregame coverage will begin at 6:35 PM on Sports Radio 910 and SportsRadio910.com .

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Eastern League Stories from July 18, 2012


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