EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Squirrels Drop Curve 4-2, Take Over Top Spot in the West

Published on May 13, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


BOWIE, MD - The Richmond Flying Squirrels used a four-run fifth inning to defeat the Altoona Curve, 4-2, in the opener of a four-game series in front of 4,971 on Thursday night at The Diamond. With the victory, the Squirrels pulled ahead of Altoona into first place in the West Division for the first time in franchise history.

The Curve jumped out front quickly, as Chase d'Arnaud singled to start the ballgame against Squirrels' starter David Mixon. He moved to second when Gorkys Hernandez bounced out. He then stole third base before Matt Hague singled back up the middle with two outs to score him and give Altoona the early 1-0 lead.

Mixon settled in, and Curve starter Tim Alderson kept Richmond at bay for four innings before Altoona tacked a run on in the fifth. Alex Presley reached on an infield-single to begin the inning. Alderson bunted him to second and he scored from there on an infield-single from d'Arnaud to give Altoona a 2-0 lead.

Alderson cracked in the fifth, and Richmond pounced on him for the lead. The righty walked Tyler La Torre to begin the inning, and an out later Nick Noonan singled. Mixon then legged out a bunt-single back to the mound to load the bases. Alderson walked Ford to force home La Torre and Brandon Crawford sent a sacrifice-fly to right field to plate Noonan and tie the game, 2-2. Thomas Neal gave the Squirrels the lead when he singled home Mixon through the right side of the infield. Roger Kieschnick capped the rally when he beat out an infield-single allowing Ford to score for a 4-2 lead.

Alderson (2-1) departed following Kieschnick's single, having conceded four earned runs over 4 2/3 innings. He allowed seven hits, walked two and struck out four. He endured his first defeat of the season.

Mixon (4-1) continued to get stronger as the game went along. Ultimately, he earned the victory over seven innings, allowing just two runs on four hits, walking one and fanning a season-high nine.

Daniel Turpen worked a perfect eighth inning and recorded the first two outs in the ninth before a pair of two-out hits for Altoona prompted a move to Jake Stevens out of the Richmond bullpen. The left-hander entered and earned his second save of the season on two pitches, flying out Presley to left field to end the ballgame.

Game two of the series is scheduled for Friday night at 7:05 PM at The Diamond. LHP Craig Clark (1-2, 4.76) will make the start for Richmond against LHP Rudy Owens (3-1, 3.74) for Altoona.

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Eastern League Stories from May 13, 2010


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