EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Senators Salvage Finale, Dump Squirrels, 6-3

Published on May 9, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


HARRISBURG, PA - The Harrisburg Senators salvaged the final game of a three-game series, defeating the Richmond Flying Squirrels, 6-3, on Sunday afternoon at Metro Bank Park.

Harrisburg starter Jeff Mandel hurt himself in the first inning, as Richmond capitalized on two walks from the right-hander to take the lead. Mandel issued back-to-back walks to Darren Ford and Brandon Crawford to start the ballgame. Thomas Neal moved the runners up and Roger Kieschnick gave the Flying Squirrels a 1-0 lead with a sacrifice-fly to left field.

Richmond doubled their advantage with their first hit in the third inning. That hit happened to be a solo-home run to left field from Brandon Crawford. The opposite-field homer, the third of the year for Crawford, just snuck out into the bleacher seats in left and the Squirrels led, 2-0.

Squirrels' starter Craig Clark zipped through the first four innings, but Harrisburg broke through to take the lead with a three-run fifth. With two outs, Jhonaton Solano cracked a solo-home run to left field to cut the Richmond lead to one. Seemingly fazed, Clark followed with a four-pitch walk to Mandel. With Mandel aboard, Brad Coon lifted his first home run of the season to right field. The two-run shot gave Harrisburg the lead, 3-2.

Clark departed following the inning, having surrendered three earned runs on six hits. He didn't factor in the decision. Neither did Mandel, although he settled in to pitch very effectively into the eighth inning. He worked 7 2/3 innings, allowing just the two runs on three hits. He walked three and struck out five.

The Squirrels drew even promptly after Mandel's departure in the eighth. With one out in the inning, lefty Jack Spradlin entered and conceded a single to Crawford. Harrisburg went back to the bullpen for Mike MacDougal who was greeted by a Neal single that moved Crawford to third. Kieschnick then recorded his second sacrifice-fly of the ballgame to tie the game.

The Senators rallied right back to take control of the ballgame in the bottom of the inning. Chris Marrero led off the inning with a double off Richmond reliever Andy Sisco and was replaced by pinch-runner Michael Martinez. After Leonard Davis struck out, the Squirrels intentionally walked Ofilio to put two aboard. Bill Rhinehart followed with a ground-ball to first base, but Michael Ambort misplayed it twice, eventually throwing errantly into left field to allow Martinez to score. Felix Romero relieved Sisco, but Solano drilled a two-run double into the gap in left-center field to pad the lead at 6-3.

Sisco (0-1) endured the loss, his first of the season. MacDougal (1-0) was awarded the victory, his first of the season. Victor Garate worked a perfect ninth inning for his third save of the season.

The Squirrels open a three-game series against the Bowie Baysox at Prince George's Stadium on Monday night at 7:05 PM. RHP Ronnie Ray (0-1, 6.57) will make the start for Richmond against RHP Steve Johnson (1-2, 3.66) for Bowie.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from May 9, 2010


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