Curve Take Marathon Game Two, 1-0

April 13, 2010 - Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release

ALTOONA, PA - In the first extra-innings game in franchise history, the Richmond Flying Squirrels were defeated, 1-0, in 14 innings by the Altoona Curve on Tuesday night at Blair County Ballpark.

Scoreless into the 14th inning, Jordy Mercer reached on an error on Flying Squirrels' third baseman Conor Gillaspie to begin the bottom of the inning. He advanced to second on a wild pitch from reliever Rafael Cova and scored the game-winning run on an RBI single through the hole on the left side of the infield from Josh Harrison. Cova (0-1) was saddled with the loss for Richmond.

Curve starter Mike Crotta and Squirrels' starter Mike MacDonald engaged in a pitcher's duel through the first five innings of game two of the series. MacDonald was impressive, allowing just three hits through five, but Crotta was even more dominant. The right-hander retired the first 16 batters he faced, losing his bid for a perfect game when Jackson Williams singled with one out in the sixth inning.

MacDonald escaped a mini-jam in the sixth, working through the inning with the game scoreless, departing to a no-decision following the frame. His evening finished with just four hits allowed. He walked two and struck out four.

Crotta also failed to factor in the decision, despite seven one-hit scoreless innings. Crotta didn't walk a batter and faced just one over the minimum while striking out four.

The bullpens were just as effective as the starters as Ronnie Ray followed MacDonald with a scoreless inning of relief before Tony Pena Jr. turned in three scoreless innings. Daniel Turpen also worked three scoreless innings before Cova entered in the 14th. For Altoona, Daniel Moskos worked two scoreless frames behind Crotta, Ronald Uviedo worked two innings as well and Derek Hankins (1-0) earned the win firing the final three frames.

The series-finale is slated for 6:30 PM on Wednesday night at Blair County Ballpark. LHP Clayton Tanner (1-0, 0.00) will make the start for Richmond against RHP Jared Hughes for Altoona.

• Discuss this story on the Eastern League message board...

Eastern League Stories from April 13, 2010

• Britton Vetoes Senators - Bowie Baysox
• Curve Take Marathon Game Two, 1-0 - Richmond Flying Squirrels
• R-Phils Fall to Fisher Cats 5-2 Tuesday - Reading Fightin Phils
• Harrison's Walk Off Lifts Curve to Win in 14 Innings - Altoona Curve
• Senators Nipped by Bowie 2-1 - Harrisburg Senators
• Thunder Drop Second Straight to Akron - Trenton Thunder
• Three B-Mets Hurlers Combine on 2-0 Shutout of Winless Erie - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
• Kibler Strong But 'Wolves Fall - Erie SeaWolves
• Luis Perez Flirts With No-Hitter As Fisher Cats Win 5-2 In Reading - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
• Sea Dogs Blank Rock Cats, 8-0 - Portland Sea Dogs
• Portland 8-0 Winners Over The Rock Cats - New Britain Rock Cats
• Come See Phillippe Aumont Vs. Kyle Drabek On Wednesday, April 14 - Reading Fightin Phils
• Erie SeaWolves At Binghamton Mets...Game Two Of Three...Game Notes - Erie SeaWolves
• Richmond Flying Squirrels Game Notes - Richmond Flying Squirrels
• What's New At Hadlock Field - Portland Sea Dogs

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Richmond Flying Squirrels Stories

• Squirrels Strike Early to Beat Ponies, 5-2
• Flying Squirrels Fall Short in 2-1 Loss to Ponies
• Eight Late Runs Hand Richmond 9-4 Loss to Binghamton
• Toribio Torches Two Homers in 8-4 Victory Over Ponies
• Squirrels Fall, 2-1, in Extra-Innings Thriller against 'Ducks