See-Saw Affair Slips Away from Squirrels, 5-4
August 9, 2011 - Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release
HARRISBURG, PA - The Harrisburg Senators (65-41) needed just one hit to rally for three runs in the seventh inning, overtaking the Richmond Flying Squirrels (62-53) for a, 5-4, victory in the opener of a three-game series at Metro Bank Park on Tuesday night.
The Senators got off to a quick start against Squirrels' left-hander Chuck Lofgren in the first inning. Erik Komatsu opened the first with a double into the alley in right-center field. Derek Norris followed with a double off the top of the wall in center field. Komatsu waited to see if the ball would drop and advanced to third base. Leonard Davis followed with an RBI single to right field, giving Harrisburg a 1-0 lead. A batter later, Bryce Harper made it 2-0 with a sacrifice-fly to left field.
Following the second inning, rain halted the ballgame for 21 minutes. The Squirrels waited until the fifth inning to pull even. Roger Kieschnick opened the inning with a single against Harrisburg right-hander Erik Arnesen. Chris Dominguez followed with a weak-grounder to the left side. Senators' third baseman Tim Pahuta attempted to charge and make the play, but the ball glanced off his mitt into left-center field. Dominguez reached, and Kieschnick took third on the error, putting runners on the corners with nobody out. Wes Hodges grounded out to bring in Kieschnick and move Dominguez to second base. Johnny Monell flied to center field, and Dominguez tagged to third, bringing Skyler Stromsmoe to the plate. With two outs, the Senators elected to walk Stromsmoe to pitch to Lofgren. He answered the call, aiding his own cause with a solid-single into center field, tying the game, 2-2, as Dominguez strolled in to score.
Richmond wrenched the lead away in the sixth inning. With two outs in the inning, Dominguez lined a solo-home run to left field, putting the Squirrels in front, 3-2.
The bottom of the order added an additional tally for the Squirrels in the eighth inning, and again it was Lofgren doing the damage. Stromsmoe doubled into right-center field with one out, and Lofgren followed him to the plate. He drilled a ball over the very top of the right-field wall, plating Stromsmoe for a 4-2 advantage. It was the first multiple-hit game of the season for a Richmond pitcher.
Without the benefit of a hit, the Senators mounted the threat that would win them the ballgame in the bottom of the seventh inning. Lofgren walked Adam Fox, pinch-hitting with one out. Lofgren departed following the walk, giving way to right-hander Mitch Lively. Lively faced two hitters, Komatsu and Norris, and walked them both to load the bases. Left-hander Wilmin Rodriguez came on for Lively and conceded a two-run single to Davis that tied the game, 4-4. Rodgriguez left, as Richmond brought in their fourth pitcher of the inning, right-hander Hector Correa. Tyler Moore lined a sacrifice-fly to right field, plating Norris with the winning run as the Senators went ahead, 5-4.
Arnesen (7-3) departed to the win after seven innings, the rally turning him into the victor. He allowed four runs - two earned - on seven hits, walked two and struck out seven. Lively (0-2) took the loss in relief after walking the only two batters he faced in the fateful seventh inning and being charged with two earned runs. Lofgren didn't factor in the decision, allowing three earned runs over 6 1/3 innings. He conceded seven hits, walked three and struck out three.
Right-hander Rafael Martin entered and never allowed the Squirrels another chance, working two scoreless innings of relief. He struck out the last four batters he faced, including the side in the ninth inning as he earned his ninth save of the season.
Game two of the series is scheduled for 7 PM at Metro Bank Park on Wednesday night. LHP Eric Surkamp (8-4, 2.09) will make the start for the Squirrels against RHP Shairon Martis (7-4, 3.17) for the Senators. Pregame coverage will begin at 6:30 PM, and can be heard on Sports Radio 910 and SportsRadio910.com.
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