EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Curve Breeze Past Squirrels in Finale, 5-1

Published on April 17, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


ALTOONA, PA - On a windy Sunday afternoon at Blair County Ballpark, the Altoona Curve earned the series win with a, 5-1, victory over the Richmond Flying Squirrels. Curve starter Aaron Pribanic earned his first Double-A win over six strong innings, while Tony Sanchez notched a pair of RBI-singles.

Richmond did get off to a strong start when Mike McBryde sparked a rally in the top of the first inning, leading off the ballgame with an infield-single. He advanced to second base when Jose Flores reached on an error on shortstop Shelby Ford. The Squirrels deftly executed a double-steal, and McBryde scored when Pribanic balked.

Altoona drew even without the benefit of a hit in the bottom of the second inning. Squirrels' starter Clayton Tanner hit Sanchez and then walked Miles Durham. A batter later, Tanner uncorked a wild-pitch that moved the runners up to second and third base with one out. Sanchez scored on a groundout from Jeremy Farrell to tie the game, 1-1.

Making his first professional plate appearance, Pribanic singled through the middle to open the Altoona third inning. Brock Holt followed with a single to put two runners aboard. A batter later, Eric Fryer sent a single to right-center field that was misplayed by Juan Perez. As the ball bounded away from Perez, two runs scored to give the Curve a 3-1 lead. Fryer moved all the way to third base when Charlie Culberson's relay-throw to the plate skipped away from catcher Johnny Monell. Perez and Culberson were both charged with errors on the play. Fryer scored to cap the inning and give Altoona a three-run lead when Sanchez tapped a swinging-bunt single in front of the plate. Two of the three runs surrendered by Tanner in the inning were unearned.

The Curve tacked on a run and chased Tanner in the fifth. Holt and Ford supplied back-to-back singles to start the inning and Tanner walked Fryer to load the bases with nobody out. He was lifted in favor of Dan Otero, who promptly picked off Fryer from first base. However, Sanchez followed and cracked a single into left field to plate Holt and Altoona led, 5-1. Otero got a double-play ball from Quincy Latimore to end the threat.

Tanner (0-2) suffered his second loss of the season, lasting four-plus innings and allowing five runs - three earned. He conceded six hits, walked three, hit another and struck out three. Pribanic (1-0) earned his first Double-A win over six innings. He allowed just the lone unearned runs on five hits. He walked none and struck out two.

Curve Right-hander Tom Boleska followed Pribanic and worked two scoreless innings of relief. Right-hander Michael Dubee closed out the Altoona win as he worked a scoreless ninth. Otero and lefty David Quinowski each worked a pair of scoreless relief innings for Richmond in a losing effort.

The Squirrels open a three-game series against the Trenton Thunder (New York Yankees) at Mercer County Waterfront Park on Monday night at 7:05 PM. LHP Ryan Verdugo (1-0, 3.60) will make the start for Richmond.

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Eastern League Stories from April 17, 2011


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