EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Squirrels Complete Win, But Curve Take Round Two

Published on August 26, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


ALTOONA, PA - The Richmond Flying Squirrels held off the Altoona Curve, 9-6, completing a victory in a game started and suspended on July 12th. However, the Curve responded with a, 5-1, triumph in the seven-inning game that followed on Thursday night at Blair County Ballpark.

The Squirrels led 6-3 with two runners on base in the bottom of the fourth inning when the ballgame suspended due to rain on July 12th was resumed. The Curve capitalized on the two runners they had in scoring position upon the restart of the ballgame. With Adrian Martin on in relief, an RBI single from Chase d'Arnaud and a fielder's choice groundout from Josh Harrison pulled the Curve within a run at 6-5.

However, Richmond pulled away in the ninth inning. Right-hander Derek Hankins had worked four scoreless innings of relief, but the Squirrels finally solved him for three runs on five hits to take a 9-5 lead. The inning was highlighted by an RBI double for Thomas Neal, and RBI singles from Brad Boyer, Clay Timpner and Ryan Lormand.

The Curve plated an unearned run in the bottom of the ninth against Rafael Cova to cap the scoring, but the game ended oddly when Curve manager Matt Walbeck was cited for coach's interference for halting Kris Watts rounding at third base by wrapping his arms around him.

Although Martin (1-0) allowed the two inherited runners to score, he ultimately worked 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief for the win. Left-hander Andy Sisco kept the Curve at bay over his two innings of relief and handed it off to Cova, who finished it off in the ninth. Tim Alderson (7-6) took the loss for Altoona.

In the nightcap, pitching dominated the early portion of the ballgame. However, the Curve broke through first, picking up a run against Squirrels' right-hander Craig Westcott in the fourth inning. Jim Negrych opened the inning with a single and a batter later, Jordy Mercer singled him to third with one out. Hector Gimenez followed with a grounder to first base that Sharlon Schoop attempted to take to second base. He threw wildly, and Negrych came in for a 1-0 lead on the error.

Altoona bumped that lead to 2-0 with a final run against Westcott in the fifth. Josh Harrison drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on a groundout. He scored on an RBI single from Matt Hague with two outs for a two-run lead.

Westcott (3-2) departed to the loss after five innings. He conceded two runs on five hits, walked three and struck out four. He lost for just the second time as a professional.

Meanwhile, Altoona left-hander Rudy Owens (11-6) was cruising. He earned the win after shutting out the Squirrels on just two hits over six innings. He walked one and struck out five to earn his second win of the season over Richmond.

The Curve padded their lead against left-hander David Quinowski in the sixth inning. With Anthony Norman and Andrew Lambo aboard, d'Arnaud launched a towering three-run home run to left field for a 5-0 lead.

Left-hander Daniel Moskos lost the Curve's shutout bid in the seventh, allowing the only run of the ballgame to the Squirrels. However, he closed out the win without further damage done.

Game two of the series is scheduled for 7 PM at Blair County Ballpark. RHP Felix Romero (4-2, 3.40) will make the start for Richmond against LHP Tony Watson (5-2, 2.73) for the Curve.

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Eastern League Stories from August 26, 2010


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