EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Richmond Races Past Curve in Opener, 4-1

Published on July 29, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Flying Squirrels used a strong outing from right-hander Felix Romero and a two-run home run to best the Altoona Curve, 4-1, in front of 8,781 at The Diamond on Thursday night.

Curve left-hander Rudy Owens was dominant at the outset of the ballgame, as he no-hit the Squirrels into the fifth inning. Ryan Lormand finally picked up the first Richmond hit when he flared a two-out double to right field.

Altoona broke through first against Romero in the sixth inning. Owens led off and aided his own cause with a double to right-center field. Chase d'Arnaud moved him to third with a single and he scored to give the Curve a 1-0 lead as Josh Harrison bounced into a double play.

Owens finally proved mortal in the sixth as Darren Ford legged out an infield-single. A batter later, Thomas Neal cranked a two-run home run to left field as Richmond claimed a 2-1 advantage. Neal became the first Flying Squirrel on the year with double-digit home runs as he notched his 10th.

Owens (8-6) departed to a hard-luck loss, his third straight, following the inning. He worked six innings, allowed two runs on just three hits, walked one and struck out eight.

Richmond padded their lead with two runs off of reliever Ramon Aguero in the seventh as they capped their scoring for the evening. Lormand got the Squirrels started with his second two-out double of the evening. He swiped third base and scored when Aguero struck out Aaron Lowenstein on a wild-pitch. Lowenstein was able to reach as the Squirrels went ahead, 3-1. Brad Boyer followed and walked, and Darren Ford finished the scoring for the evening with a two-out single to center field to plate Lowenstein.

Romero (3-1) earned a well-deserved win, in command through seven sterling innings. He allowed just a lone run on six hits. He walked none and struck out six for his third victory overall on the season and second over Altoona.

Ronnie Ray was perfect in relief for Richmond, breezing through two perfect innings to finish the win and earn his second save of the season.

Game two of the series is scheduled for 7:05 PM on Friday night at The Diamond. RHP Mike MacDonald (2-7, 4.67) will make the start for Richmond against LHP Tony Watson (3-0, 2.30) for Altoona.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from July 29, 2010


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