EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Squirrels Shut out in Altoona, Drop Opener, 2-0

Published on April 14, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


ALTOONA, PA - The Altoona Curve (4-4) used a quartet of hurlers to shut out the Richmond Flying Squirrels (4-4), 2-0, in front of 4,604 on Thursday night at Blair County Ballpark. The series opener also served as the home opener for the Curve.

Curve left-hander Aaron Thompson made a perfect first trip through the Squirrels' batting order, and faced just one over the minimum through the first four innings. Squirrels' left-hander Eric Surkamp was nearly as good through three innings, but Altoona finally got to him in the fourth. Surkamp issued a lead-off walk to Tony Sanchez. Miles Durham followed and cracked a double off the base of the wall in center field. Sanchez scooted all the way around from first base to give Altoona their first lead, 1-0.

The Curve struck more quickly in the fifth, when Jordy Mercer launched a solo-home run to left field to extend Altoona's lead to 2-0. Surkamp (0-1) left after the fifth inning and was saddled with the loss. He allowed five hits and the two earned runs. He walked two, hit one and struck out five.

Thompson (2-0) flustered the Squirrels for six innings, departing to the victory after allowing just two hits. He walked one and struck out five as he won for the second time in as many starts. The Curve used three relievers to take it the rest of the way, with a trio of righties each working a scoreless inning. Mike Colla handled a perfect seventh and Michael Dubee matched that effort in the eighth. Altoona closer Noah Krol was summoned in the ninth and earned his third save of the season, despite allowing an infield-single to Charlie Culberson.

Right-handers Ronnie Ray and Osiris Matos were both effective in a losing effort for Richmond, with Ray working two scoreless innings and Matos working without incident in the eighth.

Game two of the series is scheduled for 6:30 PM on Friday night at Blair County Ballpark. RHP Justin Fitzgerald (1-0, 0.00) will make the start for the Flying Squirrels against RHP Jared Hughes (0-0, 5.40) for the Curve.

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Eastern League Stories from April 14, 2011


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