EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Richmond Wins Third Straight as Lefty Fans 10 More

Published on May 7, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


RICHMOND, VA - Rolling behind another gem from left-hander Eric Surkamp, the Richmond Flying Squirrels (14-15) won their third straight ballgame, 5-0, over the Altoona Curve (13-14) in front of 5,713 at The Diamond on Saturday night. It was the second shutout win of the year for Richmond, and marked the first time they have recorded three consecutive victories.

Surkamp (2-2) was again tremendous for the Squirrels, earning his second consecutive win over 6 1/3 innings. He shut out the Curve on just two singles. The 23-year old walked three, but matched the franchise record for the fourth time with 10 strikeouts in a single game. Surkamp is the Eastern League leader in strikeouts, having fanned 51 in just 32 2/3 innings of work on the year. He has recorded a double-digit strikeout total in four of six outings on the year.

After two quiet offensive innings, the Squirrels pounced on Curve lefty Aaron Thompson in the third inning. Justin Christian, Nick Noonan and Charlie Culberson strung together three consecutive singles to start the inning, loading the bases with nobody out. Juan Perez then sent a ground ball to Jordy Mercer that the shortstop misplayed. Christian scored on the error, and the bases remained loaded with the Squirrels in front, 1-0. Thompson retired the next two batters, but Mike McBryde blistered a bases-clearing double down the left-field line, putting Richmond in front, 4-0. Only one of the four runs charged to Thompson in the inning was earned.

Thompson (2-3) departed to the loss after 4 2/3 innings, having conceded four runs - one earned. He allowed eight hits, walked one and struck out seven. He endured his second defeat to the Squirrels, also dropping a decision at The Diamond on April 21st.

The Squirrels capped the scoring with a lone run against reliever Anthony Claggett in the seventh inning. Perez drove in the run with an RBI double to left field. It was one of three hits on the night for Perez, as he recorded his second three-hit game of the season.

Right-hander Edwin Quirarte cleaned up the seventh inning for Surkamp by rolling a double-play. He went on to work a perfect eighth. Left-hander Wilmin Rodriguez labored in the ninth, but closed out the win with a scoreless inning.

The finale of the three-game series is scheduled for 2:05 PM on Sunday afternoon at The Diamond. RHP Justin Fitzgerald (2-1, 2.66) will make the start for the Squirrels against RHP Jared Hughes (0-1, 4.88) for the Curve.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from May 7, 2011


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