EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Richmond Records Franchise-Record Six Double Plays in Series-Opening Triumph

Published on May 7, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


HARRISBURG, PA - The Richmond Flying Squirrels claimed the opener of a three-game series with the Harrisburg Senators, 5-3, on Friday night at Metro Bank Park due in large part to recording a franchise-record six double-plays. The Squirrels, who lead the Eastern League with 40 double plays, recorded a double play in each of the final six innings in the ballgame.

Harrisburg grabbed the early advantage against reigning Eastern League Pitcher of the Week Daryl Maday as Maday plunked Danny Espinosa with his second pitch of the ballgame. Espinosa came around for a 1-0 lead a batter later when Leonard Davis tripled to the right-field corner. Davis came in to make it 2-0 when Jesus Valdez lifted a sacrifice-fly to right field.

However, the Flying Squirrels struck right back against Harrisburg starter Erik Arneson in the top of the third. With one out, Clay Timpner sent a single to the right side. Conor Gillaspie followed with a massive two-run home run to right field that tied the score. The blast, which cleared the video board, was the fourth of the season for Gillaspie, who leads the club in bother homers and RBIs with 17. Jackson Williams followed the homer with a double into the left-field corner and Maday aided his own cause with a flare-single to right field that scored him for a 3-2 lead.

The Senators pulled even with a run off Maday in the third inning as Espinosa led off the inning with a single. Michael Martinez singled behind him to put two aboard and the pair was bunted to third. Espinosa scored to tie the game on an RBI ground-out from Valdez.

Richmond grabbed the lead right back in the fourth as newcomer Juan Ciriaco sent a double off the wall in left-center field with one out. Maday attempted to bunt him to third, but first baseman Bill Rhinehart made an ill-fated decision to throw to third. His throw was wild, and Ciriaco came around on the error for a 4-3 lead.

Maday (5-0) surrendered the three runs over five innings, but was the winner, claiming his fifth consecutive win as his record remained unblemished. The righty allowed seven hits, walked one and struck out two. Arneson (0-2) was tagged with the loss, allowing four earned runs on eight hits over four innings.

Richmond added a run to their lead in the seventh against reliever Mike MacDougal. Darren Ford sparked the rally with a lead-off double and came around a batter later when Thomas Neal singled back up the middle for a 5-3 cushion.

Game two of the series is scheduled for 7:00 PM on Saturday night at Metro Bank Park. RHP David Mixon (2-1, 2.83) will make the start for Richmond against a yet to be determined starter for Harrisburg.

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Eastern League Stories from May 7, 2010


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